Administering the Antibiotic

You fumble in the backpack. "One of your Kirby-Bauer disk tests didn't get smashed," you say. "The one for Gentamicin."

"And?" Fran says.

"It shows the antibiotic is ineffective," you say, looking at the dish. "The bacteria is culturing right on up to the paper disk."

Fran grunts. "Then it'll be the Methicillin?"

"Yes," you say, flipping to a chart in the book. "Also generally effective against Gram-negative bacteria."

"We must figure the dosage," she says. "What does he weigh, do you think?" Her eyes never leave the man's eyes. Secret messages are passing between them.

Zack thinks it over. "260," he says finally. "120 kilograms," she nods. You consult the book, announce the dosage, and with sweating hands Zack prepares the syringe.

"Intravenous," she announces, and prepares to deliver the shot.

"Wait," says Zack suddenly.

Continue with the mystery

An Access Excellence Science Mystery sponsored by Genentech, Inc.