Question

b. The patient asks the student nurse what it means to develop resistance to anti-infectives. When the student nurse is teaching the patient about the anti-infective agent, it is important to include what general points to minimize bacterial resistance?

Answer 1

Ans b. Anti-infectives are medicines that work towards preventing or treating infections, they include antibacterial, antivirals, antifungals, antiparasitic medications.

Developing resistance to anti-infectives means that the bacteria, fungi, etc have developed resistance towards the medication, now they have the ability to defeat the drugs that were designed to kill them or to stop their growth. This can happen because of numerous reasons like the overuse and misuse of anti-infectives, anti-infectives being used when they are not needed, not completing the entire prescribed course of medication, etc.

Points to minimize bacterial resistance --

1. Always practice hygiene and wash your hands often with soap and water to prevent infections.

2. Keeping the vaccination up to date.

3. Do not self-prescribe a medication and not buy medicines without a prescription.

4. Always take the prescribed medicine, antibiotics have no effect over viral infections, and taking them without prescription in cold or flu will only lead to further contribution towards bacterial resistance.

5. By taking the prescribed dose for the full duration, never stop it early even when you are feeling better.