NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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For P. aeruginosa coverage, which antibiotic is NOT an option?

  1. Carbapenems

  2. Cefepime

  3. Metronidazole

  4. Aztreonam

The correct answer is: Metronidazole

P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious infections in the hospital setting, particularly in immunocompromised patients. As such, there are several antibiotics that are commonly used to treat P. aeruginosa infections, such as Carbapenems, Cefepime, Metronidazole, and Aztreonam. However, among these options, Metronidazole is not typically used for P. aeruginosa coverage. Metronidazole is primarily active against anaerobic bacteria, meaning those that do not require oxygen to grow. P. aeruginosa is an aerobic bacterium, meaning it requires oxygen to grow. Therefore, Metronidazole is not an effective option for treating P. aeruginosa infections. Carbapenems, Cefepime, and Aztreonam are all broad-spectrum antibiotics that have activity against P. aeruginosa and other Gram-negative bacteria. So, while all four options may be used to treat P. aeruginosa infections, Metronidazole is the only incorrect choice for P. aeruginosa coverage.