Antimicrobial Therapy

Question 1

Define selective toxicity

Answer 1

The ability to kill the microbe but not harm the patient

Question 2

Define bactericidal

Answer 2

Directly kill the bacteria

Question 3

Define bacteriostatic

Answer 3

Inhibit the growth of the bacteria that enables the body’s defense mechanisms to remove the bacteria

Question 4

Describe Broad spectrum

Answer 4

Kills a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but also destroy normal flora

Question 5

Define Narrow spectrum

Answer 5

Effective against a selective group of pathogens

Question 6

List 4 ways the antimicrobials work

Answer 6

1. Interfere with cell wall synthesis
2. Interference with DNA replication
3. Inhibit protein synthesis
4. Interrupt metabolic reactions inside the cell

Question 7

Describe 3 ways to reduce antibiotic resistance

Answer 7

1. Avoid excessive prescribing of antimicrobials
2. Finish the full course of antibiotics to discourage the survival and proliferation of resistant strains
3. Never use left-over antibiotics or antibiotics that are prescribed for someone else