A 77-year-old woman with a previous stroke and vascular dementia (MMSE 14/30) is admitted with aspiration pneumonia. She has a known unsafe swallow (t...

Question

A 77-year-old woman with a previous stroke and vascular dementia (MMSE 14/30) is admitted with aspiration pneumonia. She has a known unsafe swallow (thickened fluids recommended by SLT). The junior doctor wants to start her on an oral antibiotic but she is aspirating thin liquids. What is the MOST appropriate route of antibiotic administration?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous antibiotics until she can safely take oral medication

Answer

Oral tablets crushed and mixed with thickened water

Answer

Rectal administration of antibiotics

Answer

Inhaled antibiotics

Answer

Intramuscular Gentamicin

uk-dgm MCQ (SBA): Antibiotic Route in Aspiration Risk