Question

which of the following contributes the least to the problem of antibiotic resistance?
○ stopping taking the antibiotics as soon as you feel better, thereby decreasing the exposure of the bacteria to the antibiotics
○ taking the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor
○ taking antibiotics for all infections, including viral infections
○ using high doses of antibiotics in animal feed, so that we are not exposed to the bacteria

part e
a particular antibiotic kills 99% of a bacterial population. what will be the result of the continued application of this antibiotic?
○ over time, the antibiotic will cause mutations in the bacteria.
○ over time, the antibiotic will become less effective at killing the bacteria.
○ eventually, all of the bacterial population will be wiped out.
○ every time the antibiotic is given, it will kill 99% of the bacterial population

Explanation:

Part 1 (Which contributes LEAST to antibiotic resistance?):

• Stopping antibiotics early (option 1) allows some bacteria to survive, promoting resistance.
• Taking full course (option 2) is proper use, minimizing resistance.
• Using antibiotics for viral infections (option 3) is misuse, promoting resistance.
• Using high doses in animal feed (option 4) exposes bacteria, promoting resistance.

So taking the full course as prescribed contributes the least.

• Antibiotics don’t cause mutations (option 1), but select for resistant bacteria.
• Over time, resistant bacteria survive, so the antibiotic becomes less effective (option 2 is correct).
• Bacteria won’t all be wiped out (option 3) as resistance develops.
• The 99% kill rate changes as resistance increases (option 4 is incorrect).

Answer:

taking the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor

Part 2 (Continued antibiotic application result?):