Considering the medications administered to the patient, which mechanism best explains the potential interaction between piperacillin/tazobactam and norepinephrine in the treatment of this patient?
Piperacillin/tazobactam decreases norepinephrine efficacy by competing for adrenergic receptors. Piperacillin/tazobactam interferes with norepinephrine's metabolism, prolonging its half-life. Piperacillin/tazobactam may potentiate norepinephrine's vasoconstrictive effects by reducing systemic inflammatory response. Piperacillin/tazobactam directly enhances norepinephrine's action by increasing its bioavailability.