Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

For patients under 60 years old with no other medical conditions, which pneumonia treatment is typically preferred?

1. Macrolides

2. Fluoroquinolones

3. Cephalosporins

4. Tetracyclines

The correct answer is: Macrolides

In the treatment of pneumonia for patients under 60 years old who have no significant comorbidities, the preferred choice is macrolides. Macrolides, which include antibiotics like azithromycin and clarithromycin, are effective for treating community-acquired pneumonia, particularly in younger populations who are generally healthy. They offer good coverage against typical causative organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and atypical pathogens like Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. This choice is based on guidelines that prioritize the effectiveness, safety, and side-effect profiles of the medications in younger patients without additional risk factors. Macrolides have a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and are often well-tolerated, making them a suitable option in this demographic. Other antibiotic classes such as fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and tetracyclines have their places in treating specific infections but are generally not first-line agents for otherwise healthy individuals with pneumonia. Fluoroquinolones may be considered for patients with more complex cases or when first-line options are not suitable. Cephalosporins tend to be more used in cases of severe infection or in patients with specific risk factors. Tetracyclines can