USMLE Step 2 Antibiotics and Treatments Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Resource

The recommended treatment for gonorrhea is a single intramuscular (IM) dose of ceftriaxone. This beta-lactam antibiotic is effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that causes the infection. The choice of ceftriaxone is based on its effectiveness in eradicating the organism and its ability to reach therapeutic levels quickly in the body.

Ceftriaxone is typically combined with azithromycin to also cover potential co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, which is a common scenario since these two infections often occur together. However, the question specifically asks for the treatment for gonorrhea alone, for which ceftriaxone IM once is the standard recommendation.

In contrast, doxycycline, azithromycin, and amoxicillin are not appropriate first-line treatments for gonorrhea. Doxycycline is primarily used for chlamydial infections and certain atypical bacteria, while azithromycin, despite being effective against various infections, is not the recommended single-agent treatment for gonorrhea. Amoxicillin is not adequate for treating gonorrhea due to resistance patterns that have developed. Therefore, the use of ceftriaxone IM once effectively targets gonorrhea and aligns