Ampicillin-sulbactam is administered to a client with Staphylococcus aureus. What type of anti-infective is ampicillin-sulbactam? A. Extended-spectrum antipseudomonal penicillin B. Penicillin-beta-lactamase inhibitor combination C. Cephalosporin D. Aminopenicillin
B
The correct answer is B. Penicillin-beta-lactamase inhibitor combination.
Ampicillin-sulbactam is a combination of two antibiotics: ampicillin, which is a penicillin-type antibiotic, and sulbactam, which is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. This combination medication is used to treat bacterial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and other susceptible bacteria.
Ampicillin-sulbactam is effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including strains that produce beta-lactamase enzymes. The sulbactam component of this medication blocks the activity of beta-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by some bacteria to protect themselves against penicillin-type antibiotics. By inhibiting beta-lactamase, ampicillin-sulbactam allows the ampicillin component to work more effectively against the bacteria causing the infection.
Therefore, ampicillin-sulbactam is a penicillin-beta-lactamase inhibitor combination, and it is effective against Staphylococcus aureus and other susceptible bacteria.