Final answer:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used to treat a wide range of bacteria, including gram-positive and gram-negative types, but their use should be managed carefully to avoid superinfections and antibiotic resistance. Selection of antibiotics involves considerations such as the spectrum of activity, dosage, administration, and potential side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are medications that target a wide range of bacterial pathogens, including both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. They are used as empiric therapy to treat a variety of potential pathogens while waiting for lab identification of the infecting pathogen. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are also applied in cases such as polymicrobic infections, prophylactic prevention of infection during surgery, and when narrow-spectrum drugs fail due to resistance.
Importance of Proper Usage
Superinfections can occur when broad-spectrum antibiotics disturb the normal microbiota, allowing opportunistic pathogens to proliferate and cause secondary infections. Physicians now exercise greater discretion in prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics, often opting for additional testing to determine the appropriate treatment to minimize the development of antibiotic resistance and superbugs.
Considerations for Antibiotic Selection
Several factors influence the choice of antimicrobial therapy, such as bacteriostatic versus bactericidal properties, the spectrum of activity, dosage and route of administration, potential side effects, and drug interactions. Narrow-spectrum antimicrobial drugs are generally preferred to avoid superinfection and resistance.