PSA Antimicrobial Prescribing

Question 1

What is antimicrobial stewardship?

Accepted Answer

A coordinated program to optimize antibiotic use, improve outcomes, and reduce antimicrobial resistance

Answer

Keeping antibiotics in stock

Answer

Using the newest antibiotics first

Answer

Prescribing antibiotics for all infections

Question 2

Why should antibiotics not be prescribed for viral infections?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics only work against bacteria; using them for viral infections provides no benefit and promotes resistance

Answer

Antibiotics treat all infections

Answer

Viruses respond slowly to antibiotics

Answer

Only certain antibiotics work on viruses

Question 3

What factors determine antibiotic selection?

Accepted Answer

Likely pathogen, site of infection, local resistance patterns, patient allergies, and drug pharmacokinetics

Answer

Only the cheapest option

Answer

Whatever is most readily available

Answer

The newest antibiotic on the market

Question 4

What is a narrow-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum antibiotic?

Accepted Answer

Narrow-spectrum targets specific bacteria; broad-spectrum affects many types — narrow is preferred when the pathogen is known

Answer

Broad-spectrum is always better

Answer

Narrow-spectrum is used for serious infections

Answer

They are equally effective

Question 5

What is C. difficile infection and how does antibiotic use contribute?

Accepted Answer

An intestinal infection caused when antibiotics kill normal gut bacteria, allowing C. difficile overgrowth

Answer

A virus caused by poor hygiene

Answer

An infection unrelated to antibiotics

Answer

A common cold complication

Question 6

What does 'empirical' antibiotic therapy mean?

Accepted Answer

Starting antibiotic treatment based on clinical judgment before culture results are available

Answer

Using antibiotics experimentally

Answer

Prescribing without any clinical basis

Answer

Only using antibiotics proven in trials