A 76-year-old alcoholic male with hypertension, type II diabetes, and a history of congestive heart presented with cough, fever, malaise, and chills. His initial vitals were: HR 110, T: 102°F, RR: 25, B P 90/60, O2 saturation 93% on 4L/NC. The patient decompensated in the ER and was intubated. Intubation was achieved after three attempts secondary to patient vomiting during the initial attempts. Patient was admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of sepsis and respiratory failure secondary to suspected pneumonia. After obtaining blood and sputum cultures, the initial empiric antibiotic coverage should be which of the following?
- gatifloxacin alone
- vancomycin and metronidazole
- ceftriaxone and azithromycin
- ceftriaxone, gatifloxacin, and azithromycin
- ampicillin/sulbactam and gatifloxacin
Answer(s): E
Explanation:
Patients with pneumonia who are admitted to the ICU should be given empiric antibiotic coverage once the cultures are sent. According to the guidelines set forth by the Infectious Disease Society of America, empiric antibiotic coverage could be initiated with any of the following:
This patient is at high risk for aspiration because of his vomiting and history of alcoholism. Thus, choice E would be the most appropriate initial regimen in order to cover gram-positive, gram- negative, atypical, and anaerobic pathogens. The ampicillin-sulbactam covers gram positive, negative, and anaerobes. The flouroquinolone adds the atypical coverage in addition to providing gram-positive/ -negative coverage.
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