A 59-year-old with IDDM presents with a plantar ulcer probing to bone and fetid drainage. Best initial management step with antibiotics?...

Question

A 59-year-old with IDDM presents with a plantar ulcer probing to bone and fetid drainage. Best initial management step with antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Tailor empiric therapy to likely gram-positive pathogens; add gram-negative/anaerobe coverage for moderate-severe infections and obtain urgent surgical evaluation

Answer

Empirically cover Pseudomonas for all diabetic foot infections

Answer

Empirically cover MRSA only

Answer

Delay antibiotics until cultures return

Answer

Topical antibiotics suffice

us-usmle-step-2 MCQ (SBA): Diabetic Foot Infection

A 59-year-old with IDDM presents with a plantar ulcer probing to bone and fetid drainage. Best initial management step with antibiotics?