definitions and historical perspective

Question 1

Bactericidal

Answer 1

An antimicrobial that kills bacteria

Question 2

Bacteriostatic

Answer 2

An antimicrobial that inhibits growth of bacteria

Question 3

Give an example of bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs

Answer 3

Bactericidal: the penicillins
Bacteriostatic: erythromycin

Question 4

What is meant by a ‘sensitive’ organism?

Answer 4

One which is inhibited or killed by levels of the antimicrobial that are available at the site of infection

Question 5

What is meant by a ‘resistant’ organism?

Answer 5

One which is not killed or inhibited by levels of the antimicrobial that are available at the site of infection

Question 6

MIC

Answer 6

Minimal inhibitory concentration - the minimum concentration of antimicrobial needed to inhibit visible growth of a given organism

Question 7

MBC

Answer 7

Minimal bactericidal concentration - the minimum concentration of the antimicrobial needed to kill a given organism

Question 8

Name and describe the three routes of admission

Answer 8

Topical - applied to a surface
Systematic - taken internally
Parenteral - IV, intramuscularly, subcutaneously