Final answer:
For worsening sinusitis symptoms after 10 days, amoxicillin may have been appropriate at onset but a broad-spectrum antibiotic or additional treatments such as intranasal corticosteroids might be considered now. Observation would likely be inappropriate due to worsening condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
For a patient with sinusitis that has lasted for 10 days and has worsening symptoms, the appropriate treatment option would depend on several factors including the severity of symptoms, any risk factors for antibiotic resistance, and whether the infection is thought to be bacterial. Initially, for bacterial sinusitis, amoxicillin is considered a good first-line therapy. However, if initial symptoms worsen over 10 days or do not improve, it suggests that the bacteria may be resistant to amoxicillin or that a complication may be developing. In such cases, the options might include switching to a broader-spectrum antibiotic or adding an intranasal corticosteroid if inflammation is thought to be contributing to symptom severity.
Given that information, choice A) Amoxicillin might have been appropriate at the onset of symptoms, while choice D) Broad-spectrum antibiotics could be necessary for worsening symptoms after initial treatment. Intranasal corticosteroids (choice C) may also be considered to help reduce inflammation. Choice B) Observation would likely be inappropriate here because the symptoms are worsening. Considering clinical practices, a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as ampicillin or azithromycin might be prescribed if initial therapy with amoxicillin has not been successful. It is also important to avoid the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent the development of superinfection and antimicrobial resistance.