What it means
A topical antibiotican-tee-by-OT-ikA drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.anti- againstbi/o life-ic relating toFull entry for impetigo and small infected skin wounds caused by staph or strep bacteria. A nasal form is used to clear MRSAMUR-suh, or said as lettersMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.Full entry carried in the nose, for example before surgery or during an outbreak.
For the nurse
Wash hands, clean the area and apply a thin layer. For nasal use, apply inside each nostril, then press the nostrils together to spread it. Teach the client to finish the full course.
At a glance
| Drug class | topical antibiotic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Bactroban |
| Also written | Bactroban |
Related terms
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.