Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment Tool (PACKRAT) 5 Practice Test 2025 - Free PACKRAT Practice Questions and Study Guide

Amoxicillin-clavulanate, commonly known as Augmentin, is considered the treatment of choice for resistant bacterial sinusitis in children due to its effective spectrum of activity against common pathogens that cause this condition. Resistant bacterial sinusitis often arises following a viral upper respiratory infection, where bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae can develop resistance to standard treatments like amoxicillin.

Augmentin includes amoxicillin, which works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, and clavulanate, which is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that helps to overcome antibiotic resistance by protecting amoxicillin from being broken down by certain enzymes that some bacteria produce. This combination makes it particularly effective in treating infections that may not respond to amoxicillin alone.

Other options, such as antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids, are not appropriate first-line treatments for bacterial sinusitis. They may provide symptomatic relief but do not address the underlying bacterial infection. Ribavirin is an antiviral medication used primarily for specific viral infections and would not be relevant in treating a bacterial infection like sinusitis. Thus, Augmentin stands out as the most effective choice for managing resistant cases.