Final answer:
Amoxicillin targets the peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls to treat peptic ulcer disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mechanism of action of amoxicillin, which is commonly used to treat peptic ulcer disease, is that it targets the peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls. Peptidoglycan is a structural component of the bacterial cell wall, and amoxicillin inhibits the synthesis of this component, leading to the destruction of the bacterial cell wall and ultimately killing the bacteria. A nurse who is planning care for a patient with peptic ulcer disease and is taking amoxicillin should know that amoxicillin’s mechanism of action involves targeting the bacterial cell wall. Specifically, amoxicillin inhibits the synthesis of peptidoglycan, an essential component of the bacterial cell wall. Without peptidoglycan, the cell wall is weakened, ultimately causing bacterial cell lysis and death. This action makes amoxicillin effective against a wide range of bacteria, including those responsible for peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. However, it’s important to note that resistance to amoxicillin can occur, and it may not be effective against bacteria that lack peptidoglycan or those that have developed resistance.