Final answer:
The medical community's overuse and misuse of antibiotics has contributed to the rise in drug-resistant bacteria. This increase in hospital infections caused by superbugs will significantly impact the role of advanced practicing nurses in healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rise in drug-resistant bacteria can be attributed to several factors, including the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both human and animal healthcare. The medical community has played a significant role in this by prescribing antibiotics unnecessarily or inappropriately. For example, up to 50% of antibiotics prescribed for people are not needed or not optimally effective. Additionally, the use of antibiotics in agricultural practices to promote growth in livestock has also contributed to the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
As a result of the increase in drug-resistant bacteria, there has been a rise in hospital infections caused by these superbugs. This poses a significant challenge for advanced practicing nurses in healthcare. They play a crucial role in preventing and controlling infections in healthcare settings, including identifying and managing patients with drug-resistant infections. Advanced practicing nurses need to stay updated on the latest evidence-based practices for infection control and antibiotic stewardship to effectively address this growing problem.