What is the difference between bactericidal drugs and bacteriostatic drugs?
Bactericidal and bacteriostatic are used interchangeably.
Bactericidal drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bacteriostatic drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death.
Bacteriostatic drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bactericidal drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death.
A bactericidal drug can cause death to the host, whereas a bacteriostatic drug only affects bacteria.
The Correct Answer is B
A. "Bactericidal and bacteriostatic are used interchangeably."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Bactericidal and bacteriostatic are two distinct categories of antibiotics with different mechanisms of action.
B. "Bactericidal drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bacteriostatic drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death."
Explanation: This statement is correct. Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria directly, leading to their death, while bacteriostatic drugs inhibit bacterial growth without causing immediate cell death.
C. "Bacteriostatic drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bactericidal drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. It is the opposite of the correct explanation. Bacteriostatic drugs do not directly kill bacteria, and bactericidal drugs do cause bacterial death.
D. "A bactericidal drug can cause death to the host, whereas a bacteriostatic drug only affects bacteria."
Explanation: This statement is not entirely accurate. While some bactericidal drugs can be more toxic to the host, it depends on the specific drug and its dosage. Bacteriostatic drugs, on the other hand, generally do not directly harm the host. The primary distinction between the two categories is their impact on bacterial growth and survival.
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 A
Explanation
A. Ototoxicity and Nephrotoxicity:
Ototoxicity: Aminoglycosides can damage the inner ear structures, leading to hearing loss and balance issues.
Nephrotoxicity: These drugs can harm the kidneys, potentially causing acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease. Monitoring kidney function is crucial to prevent renal damage.
B. Ototoxicity and Cardiotoxicity:
Ototoxicity: As mentioned above, aminoglycosides can damage the inner ear, affecting hearing and balance.
Cardiotoxicity: Aminoglycosides primarily affect the ears and kidneys; they do not directly target the heart. Cardiotoxicity is not a common side effect associated with aminoglycosides.
C. Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity:
Hepatotoxicity: This term refers to liver damage caused by drugs or toxins. Aminoglycosides are not known to cause liver problems; their primary concern is kidney damage.
Nephrotoxicity: As mentioned earlier, aminoglycosides can harm the kidneys, which is a well-known side effect.
D. Cardiotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity:
Cardiotoxicity: This term refers to the toxic effects on the heart, leading to various heart-related issues. Aminoglycosides do not primarily affect the heart; their main concerns are the ears (ototoxicity) and kidneys (nephrotoxicity).
Hepatotoxicity: Aminoglycosides are not typically associated with liver damage. They are primarily metabolized and excreted by the kidneys, which is why kidney monitoring is crucial during their use.
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