Which set of organisms is commonly covered by second generation cephalosporins?

Second-generation cephalosporins are designed to have a broader spectrum of activity compared to first-generation cephalosporins, particularly against gram-negative bacteria. The acronym H E N P E K S stands for Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Neisseria, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Serratia marcescens. These organisms are often targeted by second-generation cephalosporins like cefuroxime and cefaclor.

The choice of H E N P E K S encapsulates the key gram-negative pathogens that second-generation cephalosporins are effective against, highlighting their relevance in treating respiratory infections and other community-acquired infections. This makes the set of organisms represented by this acronym a typical focus of second-generation cephalosporin therapy, reflecting their clinical utility in practice.

The other options, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MRSA, and Enterobacteriaceae, refer to specific pathogens or groups that do not capture the primary target organisms for the second-generation cephalosporins. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is more effectively covered by certain antipseudomonal beta-l