Rosh Pediatrics Practice Exam

What is a commonly prescribed medication for a confirmed case of community-acquired pneumonia in children?

1. Amoxicillin

2. Azithromycin

3. Ceftriaxone

4. Vancomycin

The correct answer is: Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a commonly prescribed medication for confirmed cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, particularly due to its effectiveness against the most commonly associated pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. It is frequently chosen as a first-line treatment due to its excellent safety profile, oral bioavailability, and broad-spectrum coverage for the typical bacteria involved in uncomplicated pneumonia cases in children. While other antibiotics are effective in treating pneumonia, they are generally reserved for specific scenarios. Azithromycin might be used in cases where atypical pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Chlamydia pneumoniae are suspected, but it is not the first-line therapy for typical bacterial pneumonia. Ceftriaxone is often used for more severe cases or in hospitalized patients, as it requires parenteral administration and is aimed at more resistant organisms. Vancomycin is typically reserved for suspected or confirmed cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or when the patient is at risk for such infections, which is less common in straightforward community-acquired pneumonia. Overall, amoxicillin effectively addresses the primary bacterial causes of pneumonia in the pediatric population, making it the preferred choice in this context.