Chapter 08: Anti-Infectives: Antibacterial Drugs

Chapter 08: Anti-Infectives: Antibacterial Drugs

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

BASIC CONCEPTS

1. Which type of bacteria cause infection when a patient’s immune system is impaired?

ANS:  D

Pathogenic bacteria cause disease or tissue damage while nonpathogenic bacteria do not. Opportunistic bacteria cause disease or tissue damage only when the immune system is not working well.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering        REF:   p. 115

2. What does the term “virulence” mean?

ANS:  C

Virulence is a measure of how well or efficiently a microorganism can gain entry into the body, reproduce there, and make the host sick even when the host has a normal immune system. The more virulent a bacterium is, the more dangerous it is and the harder it is to kill or eliminate.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering        REF:   p. 115

3. What is the main feature of an opportunistic infection?

ANS:  D

We have many microorganisms that are on or in our bodies and do not cause an infection because our immune systems are able to keep their numbers low and prevent them from moving beyond their normal body location. For example, we all have E. coli in our intestinal tracts and this does not cause us harm as long as our immune systems are working well. Even if a few E. coli leave the intestinal tract and enter the blood or the urine, they usually do not cause an infection because our immune systems get rid of these organisms when they are located where they do not belong. However, a person with a suppressed or weak immune system may not be able to remove or destroy these organisms when they are located outside of the intestinal tract and an infection develops. This is called an opportunistic infection because the organism is taking advantage of the host’s weakened immune system and using the opportunity to grow elsewhere in the body.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering        REF:   p. 115

4. Which problem is a sign or symptom of an allergic or anaphylactic response to an antibacterial drug?

ANS:  D

Most antibacterial drugs induce diarrhea when taken for a week or longer because they kill off so many of the normal bacteria in the intestinal tract. This is not an allergy and the immune system is taking no part in causing the diarrhea. Hair loss is not a common side effect of antibacterial therapy nor is it an allergic reaction. When a true systemic allergic reaction occurs, it is usually accompanied by low blood pressure because of widespread blood vessel dilation. This blood vessel dilation of a true allergic response often causes swelling of the face, lips, and tongue.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering        REF:   p. 117