Antibiotic resistance

Question 1

What does it mean if a patient is colonised with MRSA?

Answer 1

They carry it but it is causing no problems or symptoms - they are however at risk of developing an infection with MRSA

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of an MRSA infection?

Answer 2

High temp
fever
high white cell count
inflammation at the infection site

Question 3

What are the first line treatments for a serious MRSA infection?

Answer 3

IV vancomycin

Teicoplanin

Question 4

What are coliforms?

Answer 4

Gram negative bacilli resident in the gut e.g. e.coli

Question 5

ESBLs are resistant to which antibiotics?

Answer 5

Cephalosporins and penicillins

Question 6

How is C.diff treated?

Answer 6

Metronidazole

Vancomycin

Question 7

How can MRSA infections be reduced in hospitals?

Answer 7

Screen at risk patients
Isolate patients
Decontamination therapy to the risk of infection/spread of others
Handwashing
Aseptic non-touching techniques
Antibiotic prophylaxis against MRSA for surgery in colonised patients

Question 8

What are ESBLs produced by?

Answer 8

E.coli and Klebsiella species