The hospital infectious disease team is involved with the study of a healthcare-associated infection that has spread to 10% of inpatients. The infected patients are exhibiting symptoms of severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The RN on the infectious disease team provides education to staff regarding the pattern of bacterial growth and methods of infection control.
-The RN educates the staff about the importance of timely symptom recognition and treatment of the infection.Which of the following statements by a hospital provider demonstrates a proper understanding of antimicrobial agents?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Antimicrobial agents are most effective during the exponential growth phase of bacterial growth when the bacterial cells are actively dividing and replicating. During the lag phase, bacterial cells are adapting to their environment and not yet replicating, while during the stationary phase, bacterial replication has slowed or stopped, making it less effective to treat the infection with antimicrobial agents. In the death phase, the number of viable bacterial cells is decreasing, so antimicrobial treatment may not be useful.

The Hospital Infectious Disease Team Is Involved with the Study