Question

Provide an example of when a narrow-spectrum antibiotic would be prescribed and when a broad spectrum antibiotic would be prescribed?

A. A patient with a confirmed urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by a specific bacteria, such as E. coli, is prescribed a narrow-spectrum antibiotic that specifically targets the known pathogen.

B. A patient with a severe respiratory infection is prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic before the specific causative agent is identified.

C. A patient with a confirmed streptococcal throat infection is prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic to ensure coverage of potential secondary bacterial infections.

D. A patient with a confirmed bacterial skin infection is prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic, even though the causative pathogen is known.

Answer 1

A narrow-spectrum antibiotic is used for a confirmed bacterial infection by a specific pathogen such as E. coli in a UTI, while a broad-spectrum antibiotic is prescribed when the specific bacteria causing an infection, like a severe respiratory infection, is unknown to cover a wider range of pathogens.

Step-by-step explanation:

Antibiotic Prescription Examples

An example of when a narrow-spectrum antibiotic would be prescribed is when a patient has a confirmed urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by a specific bacteria, such as E. coli. The healthcare professional would prescribe a narrow-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against that particular strain, thereby targeting the known pathogen specifically and reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance and superinfection.

On the other hand, a broad-spectrum antibiotic would be prescribed in a situation such as a severe respiratory infection where the causative agent hasn't been identified. Because time may be critical and the infection could be caused by multiple types of bacteria, the broad-spectrum antibiotic provides coverage for a wide range of potential pathogens while laboratory tests to identify the specific causative agent are pending.