Question

What is the priority finding after a penicillin injection in terms of antibiotics affecting the bacterial cell wall?

1) Increased cell wall permeability
2) Inhibition of cell wall synthesis
3) Disruption of cell wall integrity
4) Activation of cell wall enzymes

Answer 1

The primary effect of penicillin after injection is the inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis by irreversibly inhibiting the enzyme transpeptidase, leading to bacterial cell lysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority finding after a penicillin injection in terms of antibiotics affecting the bacterial cell wall is the inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Penicillin functions by targeting and irreversibly inhibiting the enzyme transpeptidase, which is essential in forming cross-links in the bacterial cell wall's peptidoglycan layer. As a result, the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall is disrupted, leading to osmotic lysis as the cell wall cannot withstand osmotic pressure. This mechanism of action is an excellent example of selective toxicity since human cells do not have cell walls and the antibiotic does not affect them.