Final answer:
Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, not fungal infections. Blurred vision is not a common side effect, while nephrotoxicity is. Neomycin is found in some topical preparations like Neosporin and does not increase blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neomycin is an antibiotic that belongs to the class of aminoglycosides. It is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Neomycin works by binding to the bacterial ribosome, disrupting protein synthesis and ultimately killing the bacterial cells. However, it is important to note that neomycin is not an antifungal medication and hence, option a) is incorrect. Rather, neomycin is indeed used to treat bacterial infections as indicated in option b), making this statement correct.
Regarding the side effects, neomycin is not commonly associated with blurred vision. Instead, other potential side effects include nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, which are risks to kidney and auditory health, respectively. Therefore, option c) does not accurately represent the side effects of neomycin. Additionally, neomycin does not increase blood pressure as suggested in option d); rather, the interaction with bacterial cell membranes is primary to its mode of action.
In a healthcare context, Neomycin can also be found in some topical preparations, such as Neosporin, which is available over-the-counter and commonly used for minor skin infections. When it comes to systemic infections, other aminoglycosides such as streptomycin are occasionally used, for instance, in the treatment of tuberculosis.