A 5-month-old female, accompanied by her parents, presents to the pediatrician's office with a fever, dry mucous membranes, labored breathing, wheezing, and a harsh cough. Rapid testing of nasal swabs reveals respiratory syncytial virus infection. The RN arranges for transport to the hospital, where she will receive intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy.
-The patient's parents question which antibiotic will be given to treat their daughter's infection.You inform her that ________.

Question

A 5-month-old female, accompanied by her parents, presents to the pediatrician's office with a fever, dry mucous membranes, labored breathing, wheezing, and a harsh cough. Rapid testing of nasal swabs reveals respiratory syncytial virus infection. The RN arranges for transport to the hospital, where she will receive intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy.
-The patient's parents question which antibiotic will be given to treat their daughter's infection.You inform her that ________.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Antibiotics target bacterial cells and do not work on viruses. Since the patient is diagnosed with a viral infection, antibiotics will not effectively treat the illness. In fact, prescribing antibiotics for viral infections can contribute to antibiotic resistance and should be avoided unless there is a secondary bacterial infection present.

A 5-Month-Old Female, Accompanied by Her Parents, Presents to the Pediatrician's