TEAS 7 science practice questions Related

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The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic refers to:

  • A. The lowest concentration that kills bacteria
  • B. The dose required for 50% bacterial inhibition
  • C. The time it takes for an antibiotic to work
  • D. The spectrum of bacteria the antibiotic targets
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A) The lowest concentration that kills bacteria is known as the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), not the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). MIC is the lowest concentration of an antibiotic that inhibits visible growth of bacteria.
B) The MIC of an antibiotic is the concentration at which bacterial growth is inhibited by 50%. This concentration is used to determine the effectiveness of an antibiotic against a specific bacterium.
C) The time it takes for an antibiotic to work is not described by the MIC. MIC is a measure of concentration, not time.
D) The spectrum of bacteria the antibiotic targets is not defined by the MIC. The MIC value is specific to a particular antibiotic and bacterium, regardless of the spectrum of activity of the antibiotic.