Penicillin was the first antibiotic, discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming.
Missing Word
Fleming
Fleming discovered that Penicillium notatum mold prevented the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, launching the era of antibiotic therapy.
Question 2
Penicillins belong to the antibiotic family named for the beta-lactam ring in their chemical structure.
Missing Word
beta-lactam
The beta-lactam ring is critical for the antibiotic action of penicillins. It binds to penicillin-binding proteins to disrupt cell wall formation.
Question 3
Antibiotics that directly kill bacteria are called bactericidal.
Missing Word
bactericidal
Bactericidal antibiotics cause bacterial cell death, while bacteriostatic antibiotics suppress growth and allow the immune system to clear the infection.
Question 4
A superinfection can occur when broad-spectrum antibiotics kill off normal nonpathogenic bacteria and leave behind drug-resistant organisms.
Missing Word
superinfection
The disruption of normal flora allows resistant bacteria to proliferate and cause a new infection that is harder to treat.
Question 5
Cephalosporins are divided into different generations based on their spectrum of activity.
Missing Word
generations
Each generation has different bacterial coverage: first-generation for simple infections, third-generation for serious infections like meningitis.
Question 6
The fifth-generation cephalosporin ceftaroline is the only cephalosporin with activity against MRSA.
Missing Word
ceftaroline
MRSA is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and ceftaroline's unique coverage makes it valuable against this resistant organism.
Question 7
Macrolide antibiotics work by inhibiting protein production by the bacterial ribosomes.
Missing Word
ribosomes
By suppressing bacterial protein synthesis, macrolides prevent reproduction enough for the immune system to eliminate the bacteria.
Question 8
Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic commonly used in the hospital setting for gram-positive infections including MRSA.
Missing Word
vancomycin
Vancomycin disrupts bacterial cell wall integrity and is entirely renally eliminated, requiring monitoring of renal function and serum drug levels.
Question 9
Beta-lactamase is an enzyme produced by resistant bacteria to render beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin ineffective.
Missing Word
beta-lactamase
Beta-lactamase cleaves the beta-lactam ring. Inhibitors like clavulanic acid are combined with penicillins to overcome this resistance.
Question 10
Fluoroquinolones work by inhibiting the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase.
Missing Words
DNA, gyrase
Inhibition of DNA gyrase leads to increased DNA strand breakage and eventual programmed cell death in the bacteria.
Question 11
Aminoglycosides such as gentamicin are used for their broad-spectrum gram-negative activity.
Missing Word
gram-negative
Aminoglycosides are commonly used in hospital settings for serious gram-negative infections, including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Question 12
Oral vancomycin has good activity against Clostridioides difficile colitis but is ineffective against bloodstream infections.
Missing Words
Clostridioides, difficile
C. difficile is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe diarrhea after antibiotics disrupt normal gut flora.
Question 13
Antibiotic drug resistance is primarily caused by antibiotic overuse in both humans and agriculture.
Missing Word
overuse
Inappropriate prescribing and agricultural antibiotic use drive evolutionary changes in bacteria that lead to resistant strains.
Question 14
The combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim works by interfering with the bacterial folic acid pathway.
Missing Words
folic, acid
These drugs work at different steps in the pathway needed for bacterial DNA, RNA, and protein production, leading to cell death.
Question 15
Metronidazole has good activity against anaerobic bacteria and protozoa.
Missing Word
anaerobic
This makes metronidazole useful for treating STIs, vaginal infections, and intra-abdominal infections involving anaerobic organisms.
Question 16
Tetracyclines including doxycycline inhibit bacterial protein synthesis and are used to treat conditions such as acne and Lyme disease.
Missing Word
doxycycline
Tetracyclines possess broad coverage against many bacteria, making them versatile agents for a variety of infections.
Question 17
Clindamycin has strong gram-positive coverage including MRSA and can also treat anaerobic bacterial infections.
Missing Word
clindamycin
Clindamycin is a protein synthesis inhibitor used for skin infections, animal bites, and topically for acne treatment.
Question 18
An antibiogram is a document that helps health care providers determine regional bacterial resistance patterns at their facility.
Missing Word
antibiogram
Cultured bacterial samples from hospital clients are used to identify which antibiotics are most effective for local resistance patterns.
Question 19
Linezolid is used to treat gram-positive infections that are resistant to vancomycin, such as VRSA.
Missing Word
linezolid
Linezolid inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and is reserved for highly resistant infections when other options have failed.
Question 20
Amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid is marketed as Augmentin.
Missing Word
Augmentin
Clavulanic acid protects amoxicillin from beta-lactamase enzymes, expanding its coverage to include beta-lactamase-producing organisms.