Final answer:
For a patient with purulent, deeper cellulitis, it is advisable to cover primarily for gram-positive cocci, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci, using broad-spectrum antibiotics, and consider MRSA coverage in severe cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient presenting with purulent, deeper cellulitis, and a fever has symptoms indicative of a bacterial skin infection. Appropriate antibiotic coverage targets the most likely pathogens based on clinical presentation and known resistance patterns. Since cellulitis is most commonly caused by gram-positive cocci, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci, it is generally recommended to start with antibiotics that cover these organisms. For more severe cases or when methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a concern, agents like vancomycin may be used. Considering the patient's vital signs are relatively stable, with a slightly elevated temperature and white blood cell count within normal range, a broad-spectrum antibiotic should be initiated to cover for both gram-positive cocci and the less common gram-negative organisms that could be involved in a severe infection until culture results tailor therapy.