Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 253
Topical antibiotics work by:
A. Inhibiting replication of a virus.
B. Blocking histamine-1 and -2 receptors.
C. Binding to fungal cell membranes.
D. Inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Correct Answer: D. Inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis
Topical antibiotics work by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. The pharmacology behind antibiotics includes destroying the bacterial cell by either preventing cell reproduction or changing a necessary cellular function or process within the cell.
Option A: This describes antiviral actions. It inhibits DNA synthesis and viral replication after it is converted to acyclovir triphosphate by viral and cellular enzymes. Acyclovir is an antiviral agent that incorporates itself into viral DNA preventing further synthesis.
Option B: This describes the action of antipruritics. Antipruritic drugs act centrally by a property related to sedation; H1 receptor antagonists have a peripheral antipruritic action only when the itch is due to histamine release, as in the wealing disorders.
Option C: This describes the action of antifungals. Antifungals can be grouped into three classes based on their site of action: azoles, which inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol (the main fungal sterol); polyenes, which interact with fungal membrane sterols physicochemically; and 5-fluorocytosine, which inhibits macromolecular synthesis.