A 9-month-old boy is brought to the emergency department after a 3-minute generalized tonic-clonic seizure that stopped spontaneously before arrival. He has had 2 days of fever and irritability, and his parents declined all routine childhood vaccines. He has no known drug allergies and has received no antibiotics. On examination he is drowsy, cries irritably when handled, and has a bulging anterior fontanelle; there is no rash. Blood cultures have been drawn and IV access is established. WBC 22 x 10^9/L (6.0-17.5); capillary glucose 5.4 mmol/L (3.3-11.1).
| Heart rate | 168/min |
| Respiratory rate | 40/min |
| Temperature | 39.5 °C |
| O2 saturation | 97%, room air |
| Blood pressure | 92/54 mm Hg |
Question 1 of 30
Bacterial meningitis is strongly suspected and a lumbar puncture will be performed once he is stabilized. Which of the following are the most appropriate empiric antimicrobials to start now?
Select 2. (0 / 2 selected)
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