Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Test

Which categories do antimicrobial drugs fall under?

1. Bacteriostatic and Antiviral

2. Bactericidal and Bacteriostatic

3. Fungicidal and Bactericidal

4. Antimycobacterial and Bacteriostatic

The correct answer is: Bactericidal and Bacteriostatic

Antimicrobial drugs are classified based on their mechanism of action and effectiveness against microorganisms. The correct categorization into bactericidal and bacteriostatic reflects the two primary ways these drugs intervene in bacterial infection. Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria directly. They lead to the lysis or death of bacterial cells, making them essential in situations where a rapid reduction of bacterial load is necessary, such as in severe infections. On the other hand, bacteriostatic drugs inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria. They do not kill the bacteria outright but rather slow their growth so that the immune system can effectively eliminate them. This distinction is crucial because the choice of treatment may depend on the type of infection and the patient's immune response. Understanding this classification helps wildlife rehabilitators make informed decisions about the appropriate use of these drugs when treating infected animals. The other categories listed in the question, such as antifungal or antiviral, pertain specifically to other classes of antimicrobial drugs, emphasizing different types of pathogens, thus not accurately representing the complete range of antimicrobial categorizations.