Question

a nursing student asks a nurse why tuberculosis bacteria resistance is so high. which reasons are correct?

Answer 1

The high rates of tuberculosis bacteria resistance are mainly due to patients not completing the long-term treatment regimen and the incorrect use of antibiotics, resulting in the selection of resistant strains such as MDR-TB and XDR-TB.

Step-by-step explanation:

The high incidence of tuberculosis bacteria resistance can be attributed to several factors, one of which is the patient's nonadherence to the full course of treatment. Tuberculosis (TB) treatment requires a long-term commitment of 6 months to a year, and many patients discontinue treatment once they experience symptom relief, which is insufficient to eradicate the infection. In doing so, they contribute to the selection of drug-resistant strains. The incorrect use of antimicrobials, often due to their availability over-the-counter in some countries, exacerbates this problem as it can lead to the incorrect dosages or types of drugs being used, further promoting resistance.

Another compounding factor is the global prevalence of tuberculosis, with the CDC reporting that a third of the world's population is infected, largely in underdeveloped regions where healthcare resources and patient education may be limited. This lack of adherence, coupled with the overuse of antibiotics, has led to the emergence of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Extensively Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (XDR-TB), leaving infected individuals with limited treatment options and posing a significant public health challenge.

Answer 2

Tuberculosis bacteria resistance is high due to the following reasons:

1. Inadequate treatment: Patients often do not complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed to treat tuberculosis, which can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance.

2. Misuse of antibiotics: Tuberculosis bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics when they are overused or misused.

3. Spread of resistant strains: When resistant tuberculosis bacteria are transmitted to other people, they can spread and become more common.

4. HIV co-infection: People who are infected with both tuberculosis and HIV are at a higher risk of developing drug-resistant tuberculosis.

5. Lack of new drugs: There have been few new drugs developed to treat tuberculosis in recent years, which has limited treatment options for drug-resistant strains.

6. Poor infection control: In healthcare settings, poor infection control practices can lead to the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis among patients and healthcare workers.

It's important to note that tuberculosis bacteria resistance is a complex issue, and there may be other factors that contribute to its high prevalence.