How should you prepare a patient with rheumatic fever before extraction?

For a patient with a history of rheumatic fever, appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis is critical before performing dental procedures, particularly extraction, to prevent potential infective endocarditis, which can arise due to bacteria entering the bloodstream during such procedures. Amoxicillin is the recommended prophylactic antibiotic due to its effectiveness and safety profile.

Administering 2g of Amoxicillin pre-operatively is in line with established guidelines for patients with a history of rheumatic fever, as it provides adequate coverage to mitigate the risk of bacterial infective endocarditis. The timing and dosage are specifically designed to ensure that the antibiotic is at therapeutic levels during the procedure when bacteria may be introduced into the bloodstream.

Other choices, while they might relate to various treatment protocols for different conditions or situations, do not align with the standard recommendations for a patient with rheumatic fever undergoing tooth extraction. The use of benzyl penicillin, for example, is not the preferred choice in this case. Additionally, stating that no special preparation is needed ignores the potential risks associated with the patient's condition and the procedure. Lastly, the use of corticosteroids does not directly address the need for antibiotic prophylaxis in this specific scenario. Therefore, administering Amoxicillin is the crucial and correct action to