A nursing student asks the nursing instructor about the mechanism of the bacteriostatic action of tetracycline. Which explanation is correct?
"Tetracycline inhibits protein synthesis."
"Tetracycline blocks RNA synthesis."
"Tetracycline degrades the bacterial cell wall."
"Tetracycline binds to magnesium ions."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "Tetracycline inhibits protein synthesis."
Explanation: Tetracycline antibiotics interfere with bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial ribosomes. This binding prevents the attachment of transfer RNA (tRNA) to the messenger RNA (mRNA) complex, effectively inhibiting the production of proteins that are crucial for bacterial growth and replication.
B. "Tetracycline blocks RNA synthesis."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Tetracycline primarily affects protein synthesis, not RNA synthesis. It doesn't block the creation of RNA molecules in bacteria.
C. "Tetracycline degrades the bacterial cell wall."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Tetracycline antibiotics do not target bacterial cell walls. Agents like penicillins and cephalosporins are examples of antibiotics that disrupt bacterial cell walls.
D. "Tetracycline binds to magnesium ions."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Tetracycline does bind to certain metal ions, but it's not primarily through magnesium ions. The binding to bacterial ribosomes is a key mechanism of action for tetracyclines.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "Tetracycline inhibits protein synthesis."
Tetracycline inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial ribosomes, which are crucial for making proteins. This disruption in protein synthesis prevents bacterial growth and replication.
B. "Tetracycline blocks RNA synthesis."
Tetracycline primarily affects protein synthesis, not RNA synthesis. It binds to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and disrupts the translation process.
C. "Tetracycline degrades the bacterial cell wall."
Tetracycline does not target the bacterial cell wall. Drugs like penicillin and cephalosporins work by disrupting cell wall synthesis, but tetracycline operates differently by inhibiting protein synthesis.
D. "Tetracycline binds to magnesium ions."
Tetracycline does not specifically bind to magnesium ions. Its primary mode of action involves binding to the bacterial ribosome, as mentioned in the first correct statement.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "You have developed urticaria in response to something in your environment."
This statement is incorrect. Urticaria refers to hives, a skin rash usually caused by an allergic reaction, infection, or stress. It's not necessarily indicative of an autoimmune disease.
B. "Your immune system is creating antibodies that are destroying your own cells."
This statement is correct. Autoimmune diseases involve the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own cells and tissues, leading to various health issues.
C. "Your immune system is not able to create antibodies to help you fight infection."
This statement is incorrect. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system is overactive, producing antibodies that target the body's own cells, not that it can't create antibodies.
D. "You have developed an infection that is destroying your immune cells."
This statement is incorrect. Infections don't typically destroy immune cells; instead, infections often stimulate the immune system to respond and fight against invading pathogens.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today