Question

Administering antibiotics before knowing the cause of the infection is specifically known as

A. chemotherapy
B. empirical therapy
C. prophylactic therapy
D. persistence therapy

Answer 1

Administering antibiotics before knowing the cause of infection is known as empirical therapy. It allows for timely treatment based on clinical judgment and is adjusted after lab results are available.

Step-by-step explanation:

Administering antibiotics before knowing the cause of the infection is specifically known as empirical therapy. This approach relies on the empirical evidence (signs and symptoms of disease) and professional experience to start treatment promptly, without waiting for lab test results, which can often take time. Empirical therapy is critical in managing infections such as pneumonia where immediate treatment is necessary and can be adjusted once the causative agent is identified through culture results.

Prophylactic therapy refers to the administration of antibiotics to prevent infection, such as in the case of surgery, where antibiotics might be given beforehand to prevent possible post-surgical infections. In contrast, chemotherapy refers broadly to the use of chemicals or drugs to treat diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases with antimicrobial drugs. Persistence therapy is not a commonly used term in the context of treating infections with antibiotics.