system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A previously healthy 66-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-day history of fever, cough, and right-sided chest pain. Her temperature is 38.8°C (101.8°F) and respirations are 24/min. Physical examination shows dullness to percussion, increased tactile fremitus, and egophony in the right lower lung field. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most likely cause of these findings?
assistant
Consolidation of a lung segment