Seminar 1 - Antimicorbial Resistance Flashcards
What is acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and why is it a significant concern?
A) It refers to an organism becoming more sensitive to antibiotics, making them more effective.
B) It is when an organism develops resistance to multiple drugs, leading to treatment failure and the need for new antimicrobial drugs.
C) It results from organisms naturally mutating to become harmless to humans.
D) AMR is caused by antibiotics enhancing the efficacy of bacterial treatments.
Answer:
B) It is when an organism develops resistance to multiple drugs, leading to treatment failure and the need for new antimicrobial drugs.
Rationale:
Acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when organisms that were once sensitive to antibiotics become resistant due to genetic changes. This is a significant concern because it renders effective drugs useless, potentially leading to severe consequences such as prolonged hospitalizations, increased morbidity, and higher mortality rates. AMR can affect multiple drugs, which poses a threat to public health by creating treatment-resistant infections.
Which of the following organisms are commonly associated with drug resistance in healthcare settings? (Select all that apply)
Answer:
A) Enterococcus Faecium, B) Staphylococcus Aureus, C) Klebsiella species
Rationale:
These organisms are well-known for their resistance to multiple antibiotics in healthcare settings. Enterococcus Faecium, Staphylococcus Aureus (especially MRSA), and Klebsiella species are often responsible for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) that are difficult to treat due to their resistance. While Mycobacterium tuberculosis is also drug-resistant, it is less commonly associated with healthcare-acquired infections.
What makes the New Delhi Metallo-Beta Lactamase 1 (NDM-1) gene particularly concerning in terms of antimicrobial resistance?
A) It limits treatment options by inactivating nearly all beta-lactam antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.
B) It only affects a small range of antibiotics and is not considered highly dangerous.
C) It causes bacteria to become more susceptible to antibiotics over time.
D) It affects only non-pathogenic bacteria, so it has limited clinical impact.
Answer:
A) It limits treatment options by inactivating nearly all beta-lactam antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.
Rationale:
NDM-1 is a gene that encodes a beta-lactamase enzyme capable of inactivating nearly all beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems. This is concerning because it severely limits the available treatment options for infections caused by bacteria carrying this gene. NDM-1 can also support other resistance mechanisms, making these infections extremely challenging to treat.
How do microbes develop antimicrobial drug resistance?
A) Only through genetic mutation
B) Through acquisition of DNA from external sources and spontaneous mutation
C) Through prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation
D) By producing toxins that neutralize antibiotics
Answer:
B) Through acquisition of DNA from external sources and spontaneous mutation
Rationale:
Microbes can develop drug resistance through spontaneous mutations in their DNA, which occur randomly. These mutations can increase over time, leading to higher levels of resistance. Conjugation, the transfer of genetic material between bacteria, is another way resistance spreads, especially among gram-negative bacteria. This process allows bacteria to acquire resistance to multiple drugs simultaneously.
How do antibiotics promote the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria?
A) By killing all microbes in the body
B) By promoting genetic mutations that cause resistance
C) By creating conditions that favor the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, eliminating sensitive microbes
D) By increasing competition for nutrients among bacteria
Answer:
C) By creating conditions that favor the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, eliminating sensitive microbes
Rationale:
When antibiotics are used, they kill off sensitive bacteria, reducing competition for resources and allowing drug-resistant bacteria to thrive. This selective pressure promotes the survival and multiplication of resistant strains, which can lead to the spread of resistant infections. Antibiotics do not cause mutations but create an environment where resistant strains can out compete sensitive ones.
What is the most appropriate response to a healthcare team member who refuses to wear PPE when attending to a patient colonized with MRSA?
A) Allow them to enter since it’s only a quick check-up
B) Explain that MRSA can spread easily through contact, and PPE helps prevent transmission
C) Ignore the issue if they promise not to touch anything
D) Ask them to use hand sanitizer after entering the room
Answer:
B) Explain that MRSA can spread easily through contact, and PPE helps prevent transmission
Rationale:
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a highly resistant bacterium that can be transmitted through contact. Even brief encounters without PPE can lead to the spread of the bacteria, either through direct contact or indirectly via contaminated surfaces. Educating healthcare staff on the importance of using PPE to prevent the spread of resistant infections is crucial for infection control and patient safety.
How should you explain the necessity of wearing a gown and gloves to Mr. Stevens’ daughter when she visits her father, who is colonized with MRSA?
A) He is under isolation because MRSA is present on his skin and can spread even without active infection.
B) There is no need to wear a gown because he doesn’t have an active infection.
C) The gown is only required to protect hospital staff, not visitors.
D) The gown is for her comfort and has no impact on MRSA prevention.
Answer:
A) He is under isolation because MRSA is present on his skin and can spread even without active infection.
Rationale:
MRSA colonization means that the bacteria can be present on the skin or mucous membranes even if the person does not show signs of infection. Visitors and healthcare workers must wear gowns and gloves to prevent the spread of the bacteria to other patients or surfaces. It is critical to explain that the purpose of PPE is to protect everyone from the potential transmission of MRSA.
Which of the following are key nursing interventions to prevent antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? (Select all that apply)
A) Educate patients about completing their prescribed antibiotics
B) Encourage the use of antibiotics even for viral infections
C) Promote infection control practices
D) Avoid educating healthcare workers about infection prevention
Answer:
A) Educate patients about completing their prescribed antibiotics, C) Promote infection control practices
Rationale:
Nurses play a critical role in preventing antimicrobial resistance by educating patients on the importance of completing their prescribed antibiotics, avoiding the misuse of antibiotics, and promoting infection control practices such as hand hygiene and isolation precautions. Encouraging the responsible use of antibiotics helps reduce the development of resistant organisms, while infection control measures prevent the spread of resistant bacteria in healthcare settings.
