Question

The term 'broad spectrum antibiotics' means:

• A. bactericidal antibiotics
• B. bacteriostatic antibiotics
• C. which kill or inhibit a wide range of gram -ve and gram +ve bacteria
• D. which kill or inhibit all types of gram +ve bacteria

Answer 1

The correct option is C which kill or inhibit a wide range of gram -ve and gram +ve bacteria

The range of bacteria or other microorganisms that are affected by a certain antibiotic is expressed as its spectrum of action. Antibiotics which kill or inhibit a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are said to be broad-spectrum antibiotics. Those effective mainly against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria are narrow spectrum antibiotics. If effective against a single organism or disease, they are referred to as limited spectrum antibiotics.