Author Question: A patient has been diagnosed with bacterial epiglottitis. Which of the following antibiotics should ... (Read 59 times)

mydiamond · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

A patient has been diagnosed with bacterial epiglottitis. Which of the following antibiotics should the respiratory therapist most likely recommend?

a. Amikacin (Amikin)
b. Tobramycin (Nebcin)
c. Cefalexin (Keflex)
d. Ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn)

Question 2

A premature infant is suspected of having persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. How is this diagnosis confirmed?

a. Arterial blood gas analysis
b. Chest radiography
c. Pulmonary angiography
d. Echocardiography
e. Cardiac catheterization

janeli1 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
Because acute epiglottitis almost always is caused by H. influenzae type B, appropriate antibiotic therapy MUST be part of the treatment plan. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) and ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn) often are prescribed to cover the most common organisms that cause acute epiglottitis.

Answer to Question 2

D
The diagnosis of PPHN should always be suspected in any infant with nonresponsive or ongoing hypoxemia and cyanosis that is out of proportion to the degree of pulmonary disease, oxygen requirement, and mean airway pressure support. The diagnosis of PPHN is confirmed by echocardiography. When PPHN is present, echocardiography demonstrates normal structural cardiac anatomy with evidence of pulmonary hypertension (e.g., flattened or displaced ventricular septum). Doppler studies show right-to-left shunting through the patent ductus arteriosus and/or foramen ovale.