Which statement about antibiotic prophylaxis is true in preoperative care?

• A. Should be given after wound closure.
• B. Should be timely to reduce infection risk; part of skin prep.
• C. Not required if antiseptic showers done.
• D. Should always be withheld in case of infection.

Answer: (B)

The important idea is getting the antibiotic in place at the right time before the incision to prevent infection. Prophylactic antibiotics work best when tissue concentrations are high exactly when the surgical wound is opened, so they’re given within a short window before incision (usually just before the cut is made). This timing is what reduces the risk of surgical site infection, and it’s part of preoperative preparation alongside skin cleansing. Giving antibiotics after the wound is closed misses the critical window and won’t prevent contamination that occurred at the time of incision. Antiseptic showers help reduce surface skin bacteria but don’t substitute systemic prophylaxis, and prophylaxis isn’t something to withhold just because infection is present—those situations require appropriate therapeutic antibiotics to treat the infection.