A nurse instructs the patient that if ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is taken with antacids, absorption is

A. A Vitamin C deficiency:

While a Vitamin C deficiency can lead to oral health issues such as bleeding gums or scurvy, it is less likely to present with bright red oral mucous membranes and white patches. Vitamin C deficiency typically manifests with other symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and joint pain.

B. Dehydration:

Dehydration can cause dry mouth and oral discomfort, but it is less likely to present with bright red oral mucous membranes and white patches. Dehydration may also result in a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth rather than soreness with white patches.

C. Poor oral hygiene:

Poor oral hygiene can lead to various oral health problems, including gingivitis and dental caries, but it is less likely to cause bright red oral mucous membranes with white patches. Poor oral hygiene typically results in plaque accumulation, gum inflammation, and dental decay rather than the specific symptoms described.

D. A superinfection:

This is the correct option. A superinfection occurs when opportunistic microorganisms, such as fungi or resistant bacteria, proliferate and cause infection following antibiotic therapy. Penicillin, like other antibiotics, can disrupt the normal balance of microorganisms in the mouth, allowing opportunistic pathogens to flourish and lead to conditions such as oral thrush (caused by Candida albicans) or oral candidiasis. The presence of bright red oral mucous membranes with white patches suggests the possibility of a superinfection, which warrants immediate attention from the primary care provider for further evaluation and management.

A. Bacteriostatics are narrow spectrum drugs, and bactericidal drugs are broad spectrum:

This statement is incorrect. The spectrum of activity (narrow vs. broad) of an antibiotic refers to the range of bacterial species that it can target, not whether it is bacteriostatic or bactericidal.

B. Bacteriostatic drugs inhibit bacterial growth, and bactericidal drugs actually kill bacteria:

This statement is correct. Bacteriostatic drugs work by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria without directly killing them, whereas bactericidal drugs directly kill bacteria.

C. Bacteriostatics work by inhibiting protein synthesis, and bactericidal drugs work by inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis:

This statement is incorrect. Both bacteriostatic and bactericidal drugs can target various bacterial cellular processes, including protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, cell wall synthesis, and others. The mechanism of action is not a definitive factor in distinguishing between bacteriostatic and bactericidal drugs.

D. Bacteriostatic drugs actually kill bacteria, and bactericidal drugs inhibit bacterial growth:

This statement is incorrect. It contradicts the established definitions of bacteriostatic and bactericidal drugs. Bacteriostatic drugs inhibit bacterial growth without killing the bacteria, while bactericidal drugs directly kill bacteria.