Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

In a patient with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which treatment should be implemented first?

1. Oral antibiotics

2. IV antibiotics

3. Surgical intervention

4. Hormonal therapy

The correct answer is: IV antibiotics

In the management of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), the first-line treatment involves using intravenous antibiotics. This is particularly crucial when the patient presents with severe symptoms, high fever, or any signs of complications such as abscess formation. IV antibiotics offer the advantage of rapid systemic absorption, allowing for effective treatment of the likely polymicrobial infection present in PID, particularly when gastrointestinal or other systemic concerns are also present. Intravenous administration is preferred in cases where the patient may be unable to tolerate oral medications due to nausea, vomiting, or severity of the infection. Additionally, prompt treatment is essential to prevent the risk of long-term complications such as infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or ectopic pregnancy. Oral antibiotics are generally indicated for outpatient management of mild to moderate PID, but when immediate and comprehensive intervention is needed, IV antibiotics take precedence. Surgical intervention is reserved for cases with abscess or other complications requiring drainage or when there is no improvement with antibiotic therapy. Hormonal therapy does not address the infectious process and is therefore not applicable in this acute situation. Overall, initiating treatment with intravenous antibiotics is crucial because it directly targets the underlying infection in a timely and effective manner, particularly when the patient's presentation suggests a more serious or complicated infection.