Word parts
What it means
The group includes antibiotican-tee-by-OT-ikA drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.anti- againstbi/o life-ic relating toFull entry s (against bacteria), antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic drugs. Antiseptics and disinfectants are antimicrobials used on skin and surfaces. Overuse and misuse let germs become resistant, so hospitals run antimicrobial stewardship programs.
For the nurse
Give doses on time, get cultures before the first dose when ordered, and teach clients to finish the course as prescribed and never share or save antibiotics.
At a glance
| Spanish | antimicrobiano |
|---|---|
| Also written | antimicrobials, antimicrobial agent, antimicrobial agents |
Related terms
infectious disease
An illness caused by a germ such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite.
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
viral infection
An illness caused by a virus, a very small germ that can multiply only inside living cells.