Question

A hospitalized 2-year-old child with croup is receiving corticosteroid therapy. The mother asks the nurse why the health care provider did not prescribe antibiotics. The nurse makes which response to the mother?

a) Croup is caused by bacteria, not viruses.
b) Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.
c) Corticosteroids are more effective in treating croup.
d) Antibiotics are contraindicated in the treatment of croup.

Answer 1

The nurse explains that antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, and since croup is caused by a viral infection, antibiotics would not be effective in treating it.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse makes the response b) Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

Antibiotics are drugs specifically designed to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. They do not have any effect on viruses, which are the cause of croup.

Therefore, since croup is caused by a viral infection, antibiotics would not be effective in treating it.