PEN-FAST scoring is used to assess allergy to which antibiotic class?

• A. Penicillin
• B. Cephalosporin
• C. Macrolide
• D. Tetracycline

Answer: (B)

PEN-FAST scoring is a quick risk-stratification tool for penicillin allergy. It uses aspects of the patient’s allergy history—such as the nature of the reaction and how long ago it occurred—to estimate the likelihood that a true penicillin allergy is present. This helps decide who can safely undergo a penicillin challenge without skin testing, reducing unnecessary avoidance and preserving penicillin options when risk is low. The tool is specifically designed for penicillin allergy and does not evaluate cephalosporin allergy; cross-reactivity considerations with cephalosporins are addressed separately. So, the key idea is that PEN-FAST is used to assess suspected penicillin allergy, not cephalosporin allergy.