Final answer:
A woman with unknown GBS status will receive prophylactic antibiotics during labor if she is at high risk for GBS transmission, which can cause neonatal meningitis. High-risk factors include a prior infant with GBS disease, GBS in the current pregnancy's urine, or labor complications. Empirical antibiotic use applies if the GBS status is uncertain and risk factors like fever, preterm labor, or prolonged rupture of membranes are present.
Step-by-step explanation:
A woman with unknown Group B Streptococcus (GBS) status may receive prophylactic antibiotics under certain circumstances to prevent infection, especially during labor when the risk of transmitting GBS to the newborn is significant. This situation arises because of the potential for GBS to cause neonatal meningitis, which is a serious infection that can occur in newborns.
Antibiotics like penicillin or ampicillin are typically administered to the mother during labor if she is at high risk for carrying GBS. High-risk factors include a previous infant with GBS disease, a urinary tract infection due to GBS during the current pregnancy, or testing positive for GBS bacteriuria. In cases where a woman's GBS status is unknown, and she develops a fever during labor, has preterm labor (< 37 weeks gestation), or the water breaks 18 hours or more before delivery, she may also be administered antibiotics empirically.