Which term describes an antimicrobial agent that is effective against a single organism?

Which term describes an antimicrobial agent that is effective against a single organism?

• A. Broad Spectrum
• B. Narrow Spectrum
• C. Broad
• D. Natural

Answer: (B)

Spectrum of antimicrobial activity is being tested here. An antimicrobial described as narrow-spectrum is effective against a single organism or a very small, closely related group. This specificity is what makes it the best choice when the pathogen is known and you want to minimize impacts on the body’s normal flora and reduce the chances of resistance developing. Broad-spectrum agents, in contrast, target a wide range of organisms, which is useful when the exact pathogen isn’t known or there are mixed infections, but they’ve got a higher risk of disrupting beneficial microbes. The term broad on its own isn’t standard for describing activity breadth. Natural refers to the origin of the agent (whether it comes from a natural source or is synthetic) and doesn’t indicate how many organisms it affects.

Spectrum of antimicrobial activity is being tested here. An antimicrobial described as narrow-spectrum is effective against a single organism or a very small, closely related group. This specificity is what makes it the best choice when the pathogen is known and you want to minimize impacts on the body’s normal flora and reduce the chances of resistance developing.

Broad-spectrum agents, in contrast, target a wide range of organisms, which is useful when the exact pathogen isn’t known or there are mixed infections, but they’ve got a higher risk of disrupting beneficial microbes. The term broad on its own isn’t standard for describing activity breadth. Natural refers to the origin of the agent (whether it comes from a natural source or is synthetic) and doesn’t indicate how many organisms it affects.