A 55-year-old man post abdominal surgery develops fever and signs of wound infection with MRSA colonisation; which antibiotic is most appropriate?

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Multiple Choice

A 55-year-old man post abdominal surgery develops fever and signs of wound infection with MRSA colonisation; which antibiotic is most appropriate?

Explanation:
When an infection is caused by MRSA, you need an antibiotic that specifically covers MRSA. Vancomycin is the standard choice because it has reliable activity against MRSA and is commonly used for MRSA wound infections in hospitalized patients. The other options lack MRSA activity: a cephalosporin (like cefazolin) and amoxicillin-clavulanate are not effective against MRSA, and piperacillin-tazobactam covers many Gram-negative bacteria and anaerobes but does not reliably cover MRSA. In the context of an abdominal post-op wound infection with MRSA colonisation, vancomycin targets the MRSA component effectively, while broader therapy may be added to cover other organisms if needed.

When an infection is caused by MRSA, you need an antibiotic that specifically covers MRSA. Vancomycin is the standard choice because it has reliable activity against MRSA and is commonly used for MRSA wound infections in hospitalized patients. The other options lack MRSA activity: a cephalosporin (like cefazolin) and amoxicillin-clavulanate are not effective against MRSA, and piperacillin-tazobactam covers many Gram-negative bacteria and anaerobes but does not reliably cover MRSA. In the context of an abdominal post-op wound infection with MRSA colonisation, vancomycin targets the MRSA component effectively, while broader therapy may be added to cover other organisms if needed.

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