Final answer:
Considering hospital resistance patterns, an alternative aminoglycoside such as tobramycin or amikacin may be prescribed for a lung infection caused by P. aeruginosa, especially since resistance to gentamicin is common.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient diagnosed with a lung infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and showing sensitivity to all aminoglycosides presents a treatment challenge due to the common resistance to gentamicin in the hospital. The provider, aware of this resistance pattern, may choose to prescribe an alternative aminoglycoside such as tobramycin or amikacin, which have similar efficacy against P. aeruginosa but may have a lower resistance rate in that particular hospital environment. It's crucial that the chosen antibiotic is guided by both the culture sensitivity report and the local resistance patterns to optimize patient outcomes.
Given the pathogen in question, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant cause of pneumonia, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) due to the impaired mucociliary escalator and thick mucus accumulation, which create an ideal environment for colonization. In hospital settings, it's also a notable cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Treatment may also require considering the overall clinical picture, including potential coinfections and the patient's specific health status, alongside the antibiotic resistance patterns.