C H A P T E R 8
Anti-infective agents
89
C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G
Answers to the questions in this chapter can be found in
Appendix A at the back of this book.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Select the best answer to the following.
1.
The spectrum of activity of an anti-infective
indicates:
a.
the acidity of the environment in which they are
most effective.
b.
the cell membrane type that the anti-infective
affects.
c.
the anti-infective’s effectiveness against different
invading organisms.
d.
the resistance factor that bacteria have developed
to this anti-infective.
2.
The emergence of resistant strains of microbes is a
serious public health problem. Healthcare providers
can work to prevent the emergence of resistant
strains by:
a.
encouraging the person to stop the antibiotic as
soon as the symptoms are resolved to prevent
overexposure to the drug.
b.
encouraging the use of antibiotics when people
feel they will help.
c.
limiting the use of antimicrobial agents to the
treatment of specific pathogens known to be
sensitive to the drug being used.
d.
using the most recent powerful drug available
to treat an infection to ensure eradication of the
microbe.
3.
Sensitivity testing of a culture shows:
a.
drugs that are capable of controlling that
particular microorganism.
b.
the person’s potential for allergic reactions to
a drug.
c.
the offending microorganism.
d.
an immune reaction to the infecting organism.
4.
Combination therapy is often used in treating
infections. An important consideration for using
combination therapy would be that:
a.
it is cheaper to use two drugs in one tablet than
one drug alone.
b.
most infections are caused by multiple organisms.
c.
the combination of drugs can delay the
emergence of resistant strains.
d.
combining anti-infectives will prevent adverse
effects from occurring.
5.
Superinfections can occur when anti-infective agents
destroy the normal flora of the body.
Candida
infections are commonly associated with antibiotic
use. A person with this type of superinfection would
exhibit:
a.
difficulty breathing.
b.
vaginal discharge or white patches in the mouth.
c.
elevated blood urea nitrogen.
d.
dark lesions on the skin.
6.
An example of an anti-infective used as a means of
prophylaxis would be:
a.
amoxicillin used for tonsillitis.
b.
penicillin used to treat an abscess.
c.
an antibiotic used before dental surgery.
d.
norfloxacin used for a bladder infection.
7.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic would be the drug of
choice when:
a.
the person has many known allergies.
b.
one is waiting for culture and sensitivity results.
c.
the infection is caused by one specific bacterium.
d.
treatment is being given for an upper respiratory
infection of unknown cause.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
Select all that apply.
1.
Bacterial resistance to an anti-infective could be the
result of which of the following?
a.
natural or intrinsic properties of the bacteria
b.
changes in cellular permeability or cellular
transport systems
c.
the production of chemicals that antagonise the
drug
d.
initial exposure to the anti-infective
e.
combination of too many antibiotics for one
infection
f.
narrow spectrum of activity
2.
Anti-infective drugs destroy cells that have invaded
the body. However, they do not specifically destroy
only the cell of the invader, and because of this,
many adverse effects can be anticipated when an
anti-infective is used. Which of the following adverse
effects are often associated with anti-infective use?
a.
superinfections
b.
hypotension
c.
renal toxicity
d.
diarrhoea
e.
loss of hearing
f.
constipation
