What is the recommended treatment to prevent secondary bacterial infection in a patient with conjunctivitis from swimming?

The recommended treatment to prevent secondary bacterial infection in patients with conjunctivitis resulting from swimming is sulfacetamide ophthalmic. This medication is a sulfonamide antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial growth, thereby providing a preventive measure against infections that may occur when the conjunctival surface is irritated or compromised, such as from exposure to contaminated water.

Using sulfacetamide helps address the specific concern of bacterial conjunctivitis or secondary infections, which can arise after exposure to bacteria in swimming environments. This makes it particularly effective in managing and preventing bacterial complications associated with conjunctivitis resulting from swimming-related irritation.

In contrast, ketorolac tromethamine is primarily an anti-inflammatory medication used for managing pain and inflammation rather than serving as an antibiotic. Dexamethasone ophthalmic is a corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation, but it does not address bacterial infections directly and could potentially worsen an underlying infection if used alone without appropriate antibiotic treatment. Naphazoline HCL is a decongestant that reduces redness but has no role in treating or preventing infections. Thus, sulfacetamide ophthalmic is the most appropriate choice for preventing secondary bacterial infection in this context.