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Medical Emergencies · single question

A diabetic patient with HbA1c of 10% needs a dental procedure. Should antibiotics be prescribed?

  1. No — antibiotics are contraindicated with metformin
  2. Yes — to prevent endocarditis
  3. Yes — uncontrolled diabetics have impaired immune function and increased infection risk
  4. No — only prescribe antibiotics for signs of active infection
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Correct answer: C. Yes — uncontrolled diabetics have impaired immune function and increased infection risk

  • A. Metformin does not contraindicate antibiotic use.
  • B. Endocarditis prophylaxis has specific cardiac indications — this is about infection risk from diabetes.
  • C. Correct. A HbA1c of 10% indicates POORLY CONTROLLED diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetics have: impaired neutrophil function, reduced wound healing, and increased susceptibility to infection. For invasive dental procedures (extractions, implants) in poorly controlled diabetics, antibiotic prophylaxis is often recommended to prevent post-operative infection.
  • D. While antibiotics are typically prescribed only for active infection, poorly controlled diabetes significantly increases infection risk and may warrant prophylactic coverage for some procedures.

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