22nd May 2024

A 94-year-old male is referred to the acute medical unit by his GP

A 94-year-old male is referred to the acute medical unit by his GP with lethargy and fever. He has been lethargic for a week and has had recurrent admissions with a urinary tract infection. He has previously grown E. coli which is fully sensitive in his urine. He complains of some suprapubic pain and is somewhat drowsy on review.  His RR is 23, his saturations are 94% on air. His HR is 132, BP is 122/60. He is pyrexial at 38.9. His CRP is 200 mg/dL, WCC 20 x 10⁹/L, platelets 200 x 10⁹/L, urea is 17 mmol/L and creatinine is 299 μmol/L from a baseline of 100.

You start IV antibiotics following the local protocol. What is the most appropriate action when prescribing these antibiotics.

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.