Final answer:
The finding that indicates a therapeutic effect of ceftriaxone in a patient with bacterial pneumonia is clear, bilateral breath sounds, as it signifies improvement in the lungs and the resolution of the infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is querying about the therapeutic effect of ceftriaxone medication in a patient with bacterial pneumonia. Among the provided options, the finding that indicates a therapeutic effect of the medication is b. Clear, bilateral breath sounds.
Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic that is effective against many bacteria. Therefore, when it exhibits a therapeutic effect, it would alleviate the symptoms of pneumonia, one of which is the presence of abnormal breath sounds (such as crackles or wheezes). If the lung areas previously affected by pneumonia have improved, it would be evident as clear, bilateral breath sounds on auscultation, showing that the lungs are no longer filled with fluid or pus.
In contrast, the other options do not directly reflect the efficacy of the antibiotic treatment. A white blood cell (WBC) count of 10,500/mm3 can be within the normal range but does not specifically indicate resolution of the infection. A heart rate of 110/min could be a sign of ongoing infection or another condition. Tolerating small meal servings is positive but is not specifically related to the efficacy of the antibiotic against the lung infection.