NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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For meningitis empiric treatment in patients aged 1 month to 50 years, which antibiotics are recommended?

Ampicillin + cefotaxime
Ceftriaxone (or cefotaxime) + vancomycin
Ampicillin + gentamicin
Cefazolin or cefuroxime

The correct answer is: Ceftriaxone (or cefotaxime) + vancomycin

Antibiotics for meningitis empiric treatment are chosen based on their effectiveness against the most common bacterial pathogens involved in meningitis. This question specifically refers to patients aged 1 month to 50 years, so options A, C, and D may not cover the full range of age-appropriate antibiotics. Option A (ampicillin + cefotaxime) may not be sufficient as it only covers gram-negative bacteria, whereas option C (ampicillin + gentamicin) may not provide adequate coverage against penicillin-resistant bacteria. Option D includes narrow-spectrum antibiotics, which may not be effective against a wider range of bacterial pathogens. Therefore, option B (ceftriaxone or cefotaxime + vancomycin) is recommended as it covers both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including penicillin-resistant strains.