Definitions

Question 1

Define ‘Bactericidal’

Answer 1

An antimicrobial that kills bacteria (e.g. the penicillins)

Question 2

Define ‘Bacteriostatic’

Answer 2

An antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of bacteria (e.g. erythromycin)

Question 3

Define ‘sensitive’

Answer 3

An organism is considered sensitive to an agent if hit is inhibited or killed by levels of the antimicrobial that are available at the site of infection

Question 4

Define ‘resistant’

Answer 4

An organism is considered resistant if it is not killed or inhibited by levels of the antimicrobial that are available at the site of infection

Question 5

Define ‘MIC’

Answer 5

Minimal Inhibitory Concentration is defined as the minimum concentration of antimicrobial needed to inhibit visible growth of a given organism

Question 6

Define ‘MBC’

Answer 6

Minimal bactericidal concentration is defined as the minimum concentration of the antimicrobial needed to kill a given organism

Question 7

Describe the topical route of administration

Answer 7

Applied to a surface, usually skin or to mucous membranes e.g. conjunctiva

Question 8

Describe the systemic route of administration

Answer 8

Taken internally either orally of parenterally

Question 9

Describe the Parenteral routes of administration

Answer 9

Administered either intra-venously (iv) or intra-muscularly (im), occasionally sub-cutaneously