ABSTRACT
In what sort of operations should antibiotic prophylaxis be used? What sorts of regimens are used for antibiotic prophylaxis? Through what routes can antibiotics be used in surgery? How should the choice of antibiotic be made? What precautions and practices can be put into place to prevent the transmission of MRSA? Define ‘bactericidal’ and ‘bacteriostatic’, giving examples of antibiotics from each class of agent. What are the aims of antibiotic prophylaxis? What is the mechanism of action of bactericidal antibiotics? How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and what can surgeons do to help prevent this? What would be the antibiotic of choice for a Staphylococcus aureus infection? What are the risks of giving elderly patients second-and third-generation cephalosporins? What are the definitions of narrow-and broad-spectrum antibiotics and when should they be used?
