A 58-year-old man with chronic liver disease is admitted with fever and abdominal pain. Paracentesis reveals ascitic fluid with polymorphonuclear leuk...

Question

A 58-year-old man with chronic liver disease is admitted with fever and abdominal pain. Paracentesis reveals ascitic fluid with polymorphonuclear leukocyte count of 350 cells per microliter and positive culture for Escherichia coli. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous third-generation cephalosporin

Answer

Oral ciprofloxacin at home

Answer

Oral metronidazole alone

Answer

Intravenous vancomycin

Answer

Observation only because the patient is stable

us-abim MCQ (SBA): Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

A 58-year-old man with chronic liver disease is admitted with fever and abdominal pain. Paracentesis reveals ascitic fluid with polymorphonuclear leukocyte count of 350 cells per microliter and positive culture for Escherichia coli. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment?