Question

Resistant bacterial strains are more likely to be found in hospitals than in normal community settings. Select the answer that provides the most likely explanation for why?

1) Hospitals have a higher concentration of antibiotics, which promotes the development of resistant strains.
2) Hospitals have better infection control measures, which prevent the spread of resistant strains.
3) Hospitals have a larger population of vulnerable individuals, who are more likely to acquire and spread resistant strains.
4) Hospitals have a higher rate of bacterial infections, which increases the likelihood of encountering resistant strains.

Answer 1

Resistant bacterial strains are commonly found in hospitals primarily due to the high concentration of antibiotics and natural selection favoring antibiotic resistance. The misuse of antibiotics and the presence of vulnerable patients also play a significant role in the spread of these strains.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely explanation for why resistant bacterial strains are more likely to be found in hospitals than in normal community settings is that hospitals have a higher concentration of antibiotics, which promotes the development of resistant strains. The overuse and incorrect use of antibiotics lead to natural selection where resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, thereby increasing the proportion of resistant forms over non-resistant ones. Hospitals also have a larger population of vulnerable individuals and a higher rate of bacterial infections, which may contribute to the encounter and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.