Final answer:
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the recommended initial treatment for skin and soft tissue infections caused by community-acquired MRSA, as it is known to be effective against this resistant strain of staphylococcus. correct answer is c) Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best choice of antimicrobial therapy for a skin and soft tissue infection caused by community-acquired MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is c) Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Antibiotic sensitivity testing provides guidance on the effectiveness of various antibiotics against specific bacterial strains. MRSA is resistant to many standard antibiotics, including methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin. The preferred initial treatment for suspected MRSA infections, before sensitivity results are available, often includes trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, along with other potential agents such as clindamycin, doxycycline, minocycline, or linezolid. As MRSA infections can lead to severe complications if not rapidly and appropriately treated, using an antibiotic with known efficacy against this resistant strain is critical. Other listed antibiotics, such as dicloxacillin, cefadroxil, and amoxicillin-clavulanate, are not suitable for MRSA due to resistance patterns.