A 65-year-old African American male with a shortness of breath and tachypnea presents to your ER. On exam he is febrile (103.5°F) and his mental status is altered. A chest X-ray demonstrates “white...

A 65-year-old African American male with a shortness of breath and tachypnea presents to your ER. On exam he is febrile (103.5°F) and his mental status is altered. A chest X-ray demonstrates “white out” lung. Which of the following statements is true regarding his disease etiology?

A. Chronic course leading to pulmonary failure in nearly 100% of cases

B. Characterized by injury to bronchi and bronchioles

C. Can be caused by many different underlying conditions

D. Caused by Mycoplasma pneumonia