|
American Academy of Family Physicians American Family Physician Clinical Quiz January 15, 2008 Vol. 77 No. 2 Peritonsillar Abscess 6. Pending culture results, which one of the following is the most appropriate empirical oral therapy for peritonsillar abscess confirmed by needle aspiration? A. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin), 500 mg daily. B. Penicillin VK, 500 mg four times daily, plus metronidazole (Flagyl), 500 mg once daily. C. Metronidazole, 500 mg three times daily. D. Clindamycin (Cleocin), 600 mg twice daily. Usually putting a needle and scalpel in the mouth of a conscious patient with peritonsillar abscess is not the best practice. Putting a needle in the mouth leads to aggravated anxiety in the patient. If the patient moves even the smallest amount, he or she can get an extra poke. With a scalpel, this can create extra risk. In the case of aspiration or to drain peritonsillar abscesses, we use specific mouthpieces and instruments to drain or aspirate the peritonsillar abscess; this does not create any extra anxiety or risk of an extra poke even if the patient moves. |