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Antibiotic Prophylaxis Variceal Bleeding — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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HardHepatitisAntibiotic Prophylaxis Variceal BleedingSCE Infectious Diseases

A patient with cirrhosis has an acute variceal haemorrhage. Which antimicrobial intervention should accompany resuscitation, vasoactive therapy and endoscopic haemostasis?

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Correct answer: E — Short-course intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis selected through the local cirrhosis pathway

The best answer is “Short-course intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis selected through the local cirrhosis pathway”. Bacterial infection is common during acute variceal bleeding and promotes failure to control bleeding, rebleeding and death; prompt short-course intravenous prophylaxis improves outcomes. Cirrhosis causes clinically important infection risk, and acute variceal bleeding requires prophylactic intravenous antibiotics alongside haemostatic care.

Reference: NICE NG50: cirrhosis in over 16s: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng50/chapter/Recommendations