A 13-Year-Old Girl with Cerebral Palsy Is Admitted to the Pediatric

Multiple Choice

A 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy is admitted to the pediatric surgical unit following a posterior spinal fusion. During the procedure, rods were implanted to straighten her spine. Per the orthopedic surgical team's report, the patient tolerated the procedure well. Her post-operative vital signs were stable. 24 hours after she arrives to the inpatient unit, her blood pressure is 70/35, heart rate is 150 beats per minute, temperature is 104°F, and respiratory rate is 30 breaths per minute. She is difficult to arouse and is not responding to questions. The nurse calls for emergent assistance. Upon removing the dressing, it is noted that her incision is swollen, red, and oozing a cloudy white substance.
-When the final results of the blood culture return three days later,the patient is diagnosed with S.aureus septicemia.Empiric antibiotic therapy was initiated with her initial clinical decompensation.What is the next step in the patient's treatment regimen?  

A) Continue initial empiric therapy as cessation could encourage resistance
B) Change antibiotic coverage as indicated by susceptibility testing
C) Discontinue antibiotics as three days of treatment is standard
D) Continue empiric coverage until clinical symptoms improve