Final answer:
A pre-surgery antibiotic is given to reduce the risk of infection. Research has shown that taking a pre-surgery antibiotic cuts the risk of HAI by almost half.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pre-surgery antibiotic is given to a patient to prevent infection. By taking the antibiotic before surgery, the patient's risk of getting a hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is reduced. Research has shown that taking a pre-surgery antibiotic cuts the risk of HAI by almost half. For example, in a study comparing two groups of surgery patients, those who took an antibiotic before surgery had a lower incidence of HAI compared to those who did not take the antibiotic.