Final answer:
Carbapenems, like Imipenem+Cilastatin, are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. However, bacterial resistance to carbapenems is a concern. Pathogens can develop resistance through various mechanisms, making it important for doctors to determine the appropriate antimicrobial drugs to use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbapenems, such as Imipenem+Cilastatin, are a class of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. However, bacterial resistance to carbapenems is a growing concern in healthcare. Pathogens can develop resistance to carbapenems through various mechanisms, including the production of carbapenemases (broad-spectrum enzymes that inactivate all ß-lactams), active efflux of the antibiotic, or preventing its entry into the cell. This resistance is particularly alarming because carbapenems are usually reserved as a last resort treatment for highly resistant bacteria. It is important for doctors to determine which types of antimicrobial drugs should be administered by performing laboratory tests to identify the specific pathogen and its resistance profile.