Pneumonia USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 55-year-old man who aspirated gastric contents during endoscopy develops fever and foul-smelling sputum 3 days later. Vital signs: BP 128/82, HR 102, RR 22, Temp 38.9°C, SpO2 94% on room air. Chest X-ray demonstrates consolidation with cavitation in right lower lobe. Sputum culture grows anaerobic bacteria; no growth on aerobic cultures. He denies recent antibiotic use. Which antibiotic provides most appropriate initial coverage for aspiration pneumonia?
Answer choices
- AVancomycin alone
- BFluoroquinolone alone
- CClindamycin alone
- DCeftriaxone alone
- EAmpicillin-sulbactamCorrect answer
- FMetronidazole alone
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