Final answer:
The action not contributing to antibiotic resistance is completing the full course of antibiotics, as it helps kill the bacteria and prevent resistance. Other actions like using antibiotics inappropriately or not as prescribed contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question relates to the contributing factors of antibiotic resistance in humans. Among the provided options, the action that is NOT a contributing factor to antibiotic resistance is C. Completing the full course of antibiotics. Completing the prescribed course of antibiotics ensures that all the bacteria are killed, thus preventing the survival and multiplication of potential resistant bacteria.
Conversely, the misuse of antibiotics, such as taking someone else's antibiotics (option B) or using antibiotics for infections they cannot treat, like the common cold (option D), does promote antibiotic resistance. Taking antibiotics as prescribed by a healthcare provider (option A) is the recommended practice to prevent resistance.
Antibiotic resistance becomes an issue when bacteria adapt and become immune to the effects of antibiotics. This is often due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, as well as the discontinuation of therapy before the full course of treatment is completed. Inappropriate use of antibiotics, for example, when prescribed for viral infections like the common cold, contributes to the development of resistance because antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Sharing or using someone else's antibiotics can lead to suboptimal dosing and treatment duration, further encouraging the emergence of resistant strains.