Genitourinary Review of Systems Related

Review Genitourinary Review of Systems related questions and content

Which antibiotic is primarily bacteriostatic but becomes bactericidal at higher * concentrations?:

  • A. Erythromycin
  • B. Tetracycline
  • C. Chloramphenicol
  • D. Ampicillin
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Chloramphenicol. At lower concentrations, Chloramphenicol is primarily bacteriostatic, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. However, at higher concentrations, it can disrupt the bacterial ribosome, leading to bacterial cell death, making it bactericidal. Erythromycin (A) and Tetracycline (B) are primarily bacteriostatic by inhibiting protein synthesis. Ampicillin (D) interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis but does not exhibit a concentration-dependent shift to bactericidal activity like Chloramphenicol.