A patient comes to the clinic with a history of fever of 102° F for several days, poor appetite, and cough. A sputum culture is pending, but Gram stain indicates a bacterial infection. The primary care nurse practitioner (NP) should:
a. begin empirical antibiotic therapy.
b. use a broad-spectrum antibiotic for initial treatment.
c. prescribe an antibiotic when culture and sensitivity results are known.
d. offer symptomatic treatment only unless the patient's condition worsens.
A
Patients with signs and symptoms of a bacterial infection may be treated empirically, especially if Gram stain is positive. The antibiotic may need to be changed when culture and sensitivity results become available. It is best to use an antibiotic that is specific to the suspected organism and not a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
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