Answer to Question 1
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: The culture must be obtained prior to beginning antibiotic therapy, if possible.
Rationale 2: Laboratory tests should be performed prior to beginning the anti-infective therapy, but the organism does not have to be identified prior to starting medication.
Rationale 3: The culture should be obtained prior to administering the first dose of the anti-infective.
Rationale 4: Administering the medication without performing a culture could lead to increased symptoms of infection due to selection of the incorrect antibiotic.
Global Rationale: Ideally, the pathogen should be identified before anti-infective therapy is begun.
Answer to Question 2
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: A superinfection is a secondary infection that occurs when antibiotic therapy kills normal flora.
Rationale 2: Sensitivity is the ability of an organism to be killed or of its growth to be halted by an antibiotic.
Rationale 3: Mutation is the ability of an organism to adapt and change. This leads to antibiotic resistance.
Rationale 4: Acquired resistance is the ability of an organism to become insensitive to the effects of an anti-infective.
Global Rationale: Acquired resistance is the ability of an organism to become unresponsive over time to the effects of an anti-infective. Resistance can occur in bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoans. It is a major clinical problem that is growing in importance.