Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Flashcards
What is antimicrobial chemotherapy?
The use of chemical substances to treat infections caused by microorganisms.
True or False: Antimicrobial agents can only be used to treat bacterial infections.
False
Name one class of antimicrobial agents.
Antibiotics
What does the term ‘spectrum of activity’ refer to?
The range of different microorganisms affected by an antimicrobial agent.
Fill in the blank: Antimicrobial agents that kill bacteria are known as __________.
bactericidal
What is the primary mechanism of action for beta-lactam antibiotics?
Inhibition of cell wall synthesis.
True or False: Resistance to antimicrobial agents can be acquired through mutation.
True
What is the difference between broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum antibiotics?
Broad-spectrum antibiotics target a wide range of bacteria, while narrow-spectrum antibiotics are effective against specific types.
Name a common side effect of antimicrobial therapy.
Gastrointestinal disturbances.
What is the purpose of susceptibility testing?
To determine the effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent against a specific microorganism.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the phenomenon where microorganisms develop resistance to multiple drugs.
Multidrug resistance
What is the role of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in antimicrobial chemotherapy?
It indicates the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial that prevents visible growth of a microorganism.
True or False: Antivirals are a type of antimicrobial agent.
True
What is the mechanism of action of tetracyclines?
Inhibition of protein synthesis.
What does the term ‘post-antibiotic effect’ mean?
The prolonged effect of an antibiotic even after its concentration falls below the MIC.