1.
Antimicrobial Stewardship programs are designed to do all of the following, except:
Correct Answer
B. Increase natural selection of antimicrobial resistance
Explanation
Antimicrobial Stewardship programs are designed to reduce the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, not increase it. These programs aim to promote the appropriate and responsible use of antimicrobial drugs, ensuring that they are used only when necessary and that the most effective drug is selected. They also support the de-escalation of antimicrobial therapy when appropriate, meaning that the treatment is adjusted or stopped if the infection is under control. Additionally, these programs can help in reducing the overall cost of healthcare by preventing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and hospital admissions.
2.
Beta-lactam antibiotics have which of the following mechanism of action:
Correct Answer
A. Inhibit cell wall synthesis
Explanation
Beta-lactam antibiotics inhibit cell wall synthesis. The cell wall is essential for the structural integrity of bacteria, and beta-lactam antibiotics target enzymes called penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) that are involved in the formation of the cell wall. These antibiotics bind to PBPs and prevent them from cross-linking the peptidoglycan strands, which weakens the cell wall and leads to cell lysis. By inhibiting cell wall synthesis, beta-lactam antibiotics effectively kill the bacteria and are widely used to treat bacterial infections.
3.
Which piece of information would not be helpful in determining appropriate antibiotic therapy?
Correct Answer
A. Cell wall membrane scan
Explanation
A cell wall membrane scan would not be helpful in determining appropriate antibiotic therapy because it does not provide information about the susceptibility or resistance of the bacteria to different antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy decisions are typically based on the results of tests such as resistance marker detection, antibiogram, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile, which provide information about the effectiveness of different antibiotics against the specific bacteria causing the infection.
4.
All of the following technologies have Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST) capabilities, except:
Correct Answer
A. CepHeid GeneXpert
Explanation
The Cepheid GeneXpert is the only technology listed that does not have Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST) capabilities. The BD Phoenix, bioMerieux Vitek 2, and bioMerieux Vitek MS MALDI-TOF are all commonly used technologies for performing AST, which is a method used to determine the effectiveness of antibiotics against specific bacteria. The Cepheid GeneXpert, on the other hand, is a molecular diagnostic platform that is primarily used for the detection of specific pathogens or genetic mutations, rather than for AST.
5.
Biofire's mecA target includes the detection of the staphylococcal cassette mec junction.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Biofire's mecA target does not include the detection of the staphylococcal cassette mec junction.
6.
Which of the following are gram-positive resistance marker(s) found on current molecular panels?
Correct Answer
C. VanA/vanB
Explanation
The gram-positive resistance markers vanA/vanB are found on current molecular panels. These markers are associated with vancomycin resistance in gram-positive bacteria. The mecD marker is not a gram-positive resistance marker, and KPC is associated with carbapenem resistance in gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the correct answer is "a and b" because vanA/vanB are gram-positive resistance markers found on current molecular panels.
7.
Which of the following are gram-negative resistance marker(s) found on current molecular panels?
Correct Answer
E. B and d only
Explanation
The gram-negative resistance markers found on current molecular panels are IMP and CTX-M. mecA and OZO are not gram-negative resistance markers. Therefore, the correct answer is b and d only.
8.
Which of the following bacteria is commonly found to be resistant to antibiotics?
Correct Answer
E. All of the above
Explanation
All of the above bacteria are commonly found to be resistant to antibiotics. Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus faecium are known to possess antibiotic resistance mechanisms that allow them to survive and multiply in the presence of antibiotics. This resistance can make infections caused by these bacteria difficult to treat and may require the use of alternative or stronger antibiotics.
9.
What are outcomes of the recent Verigene BC-GP study publication covered in this training?
Correct Answer
B. Decreased overall hospital costs with BC-GP
Explanation
The Verigene BC-GP study publication covered in this training shows that there is a decrease in overall hospital costs with BC-GP. This means that implementing the Verigene BC-GP system in hospitals can lead to cost savings for the healthcare facility.
10.
Which of the following is a benefit of resistance gene detection over AST?
Correct Answer
A. It is much faster
Explanation
Resistance gene detection is a beneficial approach over AST (antibiotic susceptibility testing) because it provides a much faster result. This means that the resistance gene detection method can quickly identify whether a particular bacteria has acquired genes that make it resistant to antibiotics. In contrast, AST relies on the growth of the organism in culture, which takes longer to obtain results. Therefore, the speed of resistance gene detection allows for prompt decision-making in terms of selecting the appropriate antibiotic treatment, leading to more efficient and effective patient care.
11.
Gram-negative bacteria are usually more resistant to antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane that provides an additional barrier against antibiotics, making them more resistant compared to Gram-positive bacteria which lack this outer membrane. The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria contains lipopolysaccharides that act as a protective shield, preventing antibiotics from entering the cell. Additionally, Gram-negative bacteria possess efflux pumps that can actively pump out antibiotics, further contributing to their resistance. Therefore, it is true that Gram-negative bacteria are usually more resistant to antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria.
12.
Bacteria that are susceptible to an antibiotic are not inhibited by the usual concentrations of the antimicrobial agent.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
This statement is false. Bacteria that are susceptible to an antibiotic are indeed inhibited by the usual concentrations of the antimicrobial agent. When a bacteria is susceptible, it means that the antibiotic can effectively kill or inhibit its growth. Therefore, the usual concentrations of the antibiotic will be effective in inhibiting the susceptible bacteria.