Author Question: Penicillin's antibacterial activity is based on its: 1. beta-lactam ring, which terminates ... (Read 58 times)

soccerdreamer_17 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Penicillin's antibacterial activity is based on its:

1. beta-lactam ring, which terminates construction of the cell wall.
2. alteration of bacterial DNA in the cell wall.
3. interference with cellular cytoplasm.
4. interruption of bacterial protein synthesis.

Question 2

The nurse would explain that Augmentin is a combination drug containing the antibiotic amoxicillin and clavulanate, which is a(n):

clavulanate, which is a(n):
1. secondary antibiotic.
2. beta-lactamase inhibitor to prevent the excretion of penicillin.
3. anti-inflammatory to prevent allergic response.
4. antiviral to prevent superinfection.

Sammyo · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The beta-lactam ring in penicillin interferes with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.
Rationale 2: Penicillin's antibacterial activity does not involve alteration of bacterial DNA.
Rationale 3: Penicillin's antibacterial activity does not involve interference with cellular cytoplasm.
Rationale 4: Penicillin's antibacterial activity does not involve interrupting protein synthesis.
Global Rationale: Penicillins kill bacteria by disrupting their cell walls. The portion of the chemical structure of penicillin that is responsible for its antibacterial activity is called the beta-lactam ring. The beta-lactam ring resembles one of the chemical building blocks of peptidoglycan. When the PBP enzyme attempts to add the next link in the peptidoglycan chain, it binds to the beta-lactam ring, and construction of the cell wall is terminated

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Clavulanate is not an antibiotic.
Rationale 2: Clavulanate prevents the action of beta-lactamase, which would decrease the life of the penicillin.
Rationale 3: Clavulanate is not an anti-inflammatory and would not prevent allergic responses.
Rationale 4: Clavulanate is not an antiviral and would not prevent superinfection.
Global Rationale: The fixed-dose combination of Augmentin combines amoxicillin with clavulanate, a beta-lactamase (penicillinase) inhibitor. By inhibiting penicillinase, these combined drugs allow a greater percentage of the aminopenicillin molecules to reach pathogens and affect cell wall synthesis. The beta-lactamase inhibitors are ineffective when used alone and therefore are always used in fixed combination formulations with other drugs.