Which of the following is NOT an antimicrobial resistant organism?

NHM MP Staff Nurse-2022

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse-2022

Explanation

SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which is a viral respiratory illness.
It is caused by the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), not a bacterium.
Antimicrobial resistance, in the context of MDROs, refers to bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.
Since SARS is a viral disease, it is not treated with antibiotics and therefore is not classified as an antimicrobial-resistant organism in this context.

Option A: MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a well-known example of a bacterium that has become resistant to multiple antibiotics, making it a classic antimicrobial-resistant organism.
Option B: VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci) are bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. They are a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections and are a prime example of antimicrobial resistance.
Option C: MDR-TB (Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis) is a form of tuberculosis infection caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that are resistant to at least two of the most potent first-line anti-TB drugs. This is a major public health concern and a clear example of an antimicrobial-resistant organism.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification and differentiation of antimicrobial-resistant organisms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Differentiating between viral and bacterial infections is critical for appropriate treatment. Prescribing antibiotics for a viral infection like SARS is ineffective and contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance.
Nurses play a key role in infection prevention and control. For patients with MDROs like MRSA, VRE, or MDR-TB, strict adherence to transmission-based precautions (e.g., contact, droplet, or airborne) is essential to prevent spread to other patients and healthcare workers.
What if? If a patient with a high fever and cough is admitted, the initial nursing assessment must gather information about travel history, potential exposures, and symptom onset to help differentiate between community-acquired pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19/SARS, or other respiratory illnesses, guiding appropriate isolation and diagnostic testing.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the question and identify the keyword 'NOT'. This indicates you are looking for the option that does not belong to the specified category.
The category is 'antimicrobial resistant organism'. Define this term in your mind: an organism, typically a bacterium, that has developed resistance to drugs that would normally kill it.
Evaluate each option against this definition.
A) MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The name itself indicates it's a resistant bacterium.
B) VRE: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. Again, the name indicates a resistant bacterium.
C) MDR-TB: Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis. The name clearly states it's a resistant form of a bacterial disease.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification and differentiation of antimicrobial-resistant organisms.
Stem keywords: antimicrobial resistant organism
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the option that is NOT an antimicrobial resistant organism.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 169-171

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 1 pp. 45-47, 44-46