CEA Nursing Practice Exam

What is the appropriate treatment for a patient with a positive gonorrhea and chlamydia DNA probe?

1. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) IM plus Azithromycin (Zithromax) PO

2. Amoxicillin (Amoxil) plus Metronidazole (Flagyl)

3. Cephalexin (Keflex) only

4. Doxycycline (Vibramycin) alone

The correct answer is: Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) IM plus Azithromycin (Zithromax) PO

The appropriate treatment for a patient with a positive gonorrhea and chlamydia DNA probe is based on the need to effectively address both infections simultaneously. The combination of Ceftriaxone and Azithromycin is the recommended first-line treatment due to the rising resistance trends of gonorrhea. Ceftriaxone, a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, targets Neisseria gonorrhoeae, while Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, is effective against Chlamydia trachomatis. Using this combination addresses both pathogens at once, ensuring that the treatment is comprehensive and effective. The dual therapy also aims to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea. Other options do not provide the necessary coverage for both infections. Amoxicillin, while effective for some infections, is not the first choice for either gonorrhea or chlamydia. Notably, the current guidelines do not recommend it for these particular infections given resistance patterns. Cephalexin is primarily used for infections related to skin flora and other specific bacterial infections, but it does not adequately cover gonorrhea. Doxycycline is effective for chlamydia but is not recommended as a sole treatment for gonorrhea due to the potential for