Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

What should antibiotic treatment for neurosyphilis consist of?

1. Oral doxycycline

2. IV aqueous crystalline PCN-G q4h x 10-14 days

3. IM penicillin G

4. IV meropenem as required

The correct answer is: IV aqueous crystalline PCN-G q4h x 10-14 days

Antibiotic treatment for neurosyphilis should consist of intravenous (IV) aqueous crystalline penicillin G for several important reasons. Neurosyphilis is a serious manifestation of syphilis that occurs when the Treponema pallidum bacteria invade the central nervous system. It can lead to significant neurological complications such as meningitis, general paresis, and tabes dorsalis. Intravenous aqueous crystalline penicillin G is the preferred regimen for treating neurosyphilis due to its ability to effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier, ensuring that adequate concentrations of the antibiotic reach the central nervous system. The recommended duration of treatment is typically 10 to 14 days, which allows for sufficient exposure of the pathogen to the antibiotic, leading to effective resolution of the infection. Other options, while they may be used for other forms of syphilis, do not provide the same level of efficacy for treating neurosyphilis. For instance, oral doxycycline and intramuscular penicillin G might not achieve the necessary concentrations in the central nervous system and are not recommended for this particular infection. Additionally, meropenem is not indicated for treating neurosyphilis as it is primarily used for a range of bacterial infections but does