For elective cesarean section, current guidance recommends that a single dose of intravenous cefazolin be administered:

• A Immediately after clamping of the umbilical cord
• B 24 hours before surgery as a loading regimen
• C Only after uterine repair is complete
• D Within 60 minutes before skin incision ✓

Explanation

Prophylaxis is now recommended before skin incision, ideally within 60 minutes, so that tissue levels of the drug are adequate at the moment of contamination; this reduces endometritis and wound infection whether or not the patient is in labor. Administering the dose only after cord clamping, the older teaching based on fear of neonatal effects, has been abandoned because trials showed no neonatal harm and superior maternal outcomes with pre-incision dosing.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.