A patient is admitted to the hospital after a severe hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin. Which of the following classes of antibiotics should the patient avoid in the future?

Explanation

•A patient that has had an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin will also be at risk for a reaction from cephalosporins and carbapenems.

•Penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems all contain a beta-lactam ring in their biochemical makeup. This beta-lactam ring can cause an allergic or even an anaphylactic reaction.

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