Question

A 63-year-old presents with severe sepsis and is allergic to penicillin (anaphylaxis). You plan broad-spectrum antibiotics. Which principle applies?

Accepted Answer

Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour using non-cross-reactive agents

Answer

Delay antibiotics until allergy testing

Answer

Wait for cultures before antibiotics

Answer

Start narrow-spectrum therapy only

Answer

Hold antibiotics until lactate normalizes

Practice question

A 63-year-old presents with severe sepsis and is allergic to penicillin (anaphylaxis). You plan broad-spectrum antibiotics. Which principle applies?