A 68-year-old man presents with a two-day history of fever, productive cough and pleuritic chest pain. He is alert, has a respiratory rate of 32/min, blood pressure of 104/66 mmHg and oxygen saturation of 92% on room air. Urea is 8.2 mmol/L (2.5–7.5), and chest radiography shows right lower-lobe consolidation; there is no vasopressor requirement, renal failure or multilobar disease. Which one of the following is the most appropriate place for his initial management?
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