Question

A patient is receiving aminoglycoside therapy and will be receiving a beta-lactam antibiotic as well. The patient asks why two antibiotics have been ordered. What is the nurse's best response?

a. "The combined effect of both antibiotics is greater than each of them alone."
b. "One antibiotic is not strong enough to fight the infection."
c. "We have not yet isolated the bacteria, so the two antibiotics are given to cover a wide range of microorganisms."
d. "We can give a reduced amount of each one if we give them together."

Answer 1

The best response is that the combined effect of both aminoglycoside and beta-lactam antibiotics is greater than the effect of each alone, due to a synergistic interaction that increases effectiveness and combats antibiotic resistance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best response to the patient who is receiving aminoglycoside therapy and who will also be receiving a beta-lactam antibiotic is: "The combined effect of both antibiotics is greater than each of them alone." This is because the two antibiotics may provide a synergistic interaction, which can be more effective in treating the infection.

For certain infections, using two antibiotics concurrently can target different mechanisms within the bacteria, thereby increasing the chance of effectively overcoming the infection. Furthermore, a combined therapy may also help in addressing antibiotic resistance, as the presence of two antibiotics can reduce the likelihood that the bacteria will adapt to both.

This strategy is particularly important when dealing with infections that may have developed resistance to common treatments, ensuring a more robust approach that could result in a higher probability of successful treatment.