American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the recommended treatment for cervicitis?

1. Ceftriaxone and azithromycin

2. Amoxicillin and metronidazole

3. Clindamycin and tetracycline

4. Vancomycin and cefazolin

The correct answer is: Ceftriaxone and azithromycin

The recommended treatment for cervicitis typically focuses on addressing the most common infectious causes, which are often sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. The combination of ceftriaxone and azithromycin is considered a first-line treatment because it effectively targets these bacterium. Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic that is highly effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, while azithromycin is an effective macrolide antibiotic that works against Chlamydia trachomatis. Using both medications together provides a dual therapy approach that helps to cover the possibility of co-infection with both organisms, which is common in cases of cervicitis. This combination has also been recommended in treatment guidelines to help reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance and ensure a higher probability of successful treatment. Other treatment combinations mentioned do not align with the recommended evidence-based practices for this condition. For instance, while amoxicillin and metronidazole might be used for other infections, they do not specifically target the primary pathogens associated with cervicitis. Similarly, clindamycin and tetracycline do not provide the necessary coverage for the STIs commonly responsible for cervicitis. Lastly,