A 72-year-old patient with COPD and suspected aspiration pne…
A 72-year-old patient with COPD and suspected aspiration pneumonia is admitted to the ICU with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. The interprofessional team debates two approaches: Option A: Start broad-spectrum antibiotics immediately and obtain blood/sputum cultures afterward to avoid delaying treatment. Option B: Obtain blood cultures (and a respiratory specimen if feasible) first, then start antibiotics within the next hour. The unit’s quality dashboard shows rising antimicrobial escalation rates, longer ICU length of stay, and more C. difficile infections. The NP student is asked to recommend an evidence-based approach balancing timely treatment and antimicrobial stewardship. Which option is the BEST evidence-based recommendation?