The nurse is admitting a client to the acute care floor with methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The nurse would expect the physician to order which of the following medications for the client?

A. An infection that is difficult to treat:

This choice describes a challenging infection but does not specifically capture the concept of a superinfection. While superinfections can indeed be difficult to treat, they are defined more specifically as secondary infections that occur due to disruption of the normal microbial flora during the treatment of an initial infection.

B. An infection caused by a weakened immune system:

This choice describes an infection that occurs due to a compromised or weakened immune system, which can indeed increase the risk of developing infections, including superinfections. However, it does not fully encompass the definition of a superinfection, which specifically involves the overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens after the disruption of normal microbial flora by antimicrobial treatment.

C. A secondary infection that occurs when microorganisms normally present in the body are killed by the drug:

This choice accurately describes what a superinfection is. It highlights the key concept that a superinfection is a secondary infection that arises when antimicrobial treatment disrupts or kills the normal microbial flora of the body, allowing opportunistic pathogens to overgrow and cause infection.

D. A drug-resistant infection:

This choice describes an infection caused by microorganisms that are resistant to the effects of antimicrobial drugs. While drug resistance is a significant concern in healthcare, it does not specifically define a superinfection. Superinfections can involve drug-resistant microorganisms, but they are not solely characterized by drug resistance; rather, they are secondary infections resulting from the disruption of normal microbial flora during antimicrobial treatment.

1. Abdominal surgery requires starting antibiotic therapy 4 days before surgery:

This statement is not accurate. While antibiotic prophylaxis is commonly administered before certain types of surgery to prevent surgical site infections, the timing and duration of antibiotic therapy vary depending on factors such as the type of surgery, the patient’s medical history, and institutional guidelines. However, starting antibiotic therapy four days before surgery would not be standard practice for most abdominal surgeries.

B. A reduction of intestinal bacteria lessens the possibility of postoperative infection:

This statement is correct. Neomycin, as well as other antibiotics used in bowel preparation regimens, help reduce the population of intestinal bacteria. By decreasing the bacterial load in the bowel before surgery, the risk of contaminating the surgical site with harmful bacteria during the procedure is reduced, thus lowering the likelihood of postoperative infections.

C. The bacteria found in the bowel cannot be destroyed after surgery:

This statement is incorrect. While it is true that the bowel contains a complex ecosystem of bacteria that play important roles in digestion and other physiological functions, the population of intestinal bacteria can be temporarily reduced through the use of antibiotics, such as neomycin, as part of a bowel preparation regimen before surgery.

D. Anesthesia makes the bowel resistant to an antibiotic after surgery:

This statement is not accurate. Anesthesia does not render the bowel resistant to antibiotics after surgery. However, the administration of antibiotics during surgery and postoperatively may be indicated in certain cases to prevent or treat infections, particularly if the surgical procedure involves contamination of the abdominal cavity or if the patient is at increased risk of infection.