Which term describes a drug that is not effective against the organism?

Which term describes a drug that is not effective against the organism?

• A. Resistant
• B. Sensitive
• C. Intermediate
• D. Broad Spectrum

Answer: (A)

In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, results are categorized by how well a drug inhibits a given organism. If the organism is not inhibited by the drug at clinically achievable concentrations, the organism is described as resistant, meaning the drug is not effective against it. Clinically, this means that drug would not be a good choice for treating that infection because it won’t reach inhibitory levels at the infection site or the organism has defenses that render the drug ineffective. Sensitive would mean the drug works well and inhibits growth at standard doses. Broad spectrum refers to the range of organisms a drug can act against, not how well it works against a specific organism. Intermediate indicates an uncertain or borderline level of effectiveness, sometimes workable at higher doses or in certain body sites.

In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, results are categorized by how well a drug inhibits a given organism. If the organism is not inhibited by the drug at clinically achievable concentrations, the organism is described as resistant, meaning the drug is not effective against it. Clinically, this means that drug would not be a good choice for treating that infection because it won’t reach inhibitory levels at the infection site or the organism has defenses that render the drug ineffective.

Sensitive would mean the drug works well and inhibits growth at standard doses. Broad spectrum refers to the range of organisms a drug can act against, not how well it works against a specific organism. Intermediate indicates an uncertain or borderline level of effectiveness, sometimes workable at higher doses or in certain body sites.