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OrthoVellum

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Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Basic Science
intermediate
X-Type

Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Orthopaedic Surgery

Infection Prevention

A 65-year-old woman is scheduled for elective primary total hip arthroplasty. She has a penicillin allergy documented as "rash" and her preoperative nasal swab is positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Her BMI is 35 and estimated blood loss is expected to be moderate. The planned surgical time is approximately 90 minutes. Regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Cefazolin (first-generation cephalosporin) is the antibiotic of choice for most orthopaedic procedur...

B

Timing is critical: antibiotics must achieve adequate tissue concentration BEFORE incision; for cefa...

C

Antibiotics should be continued for 48-72 hours post-operatively for optimal infection prevention; c...

D

For patients with penicillin allergy, cephalosporins have less than 1% cross-reactivity and can be u...

E

Prophylaxis duration should be limited to 24 hours maximum for clean procedures; prolonged antibioti...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option