Which of the following statement about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is FALSE.

BHU NO-2019

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: BHU NO-2019

Explanation

The statement is false because poor infection control, inadequate sanitation, and improper food handling are well-established factors that promote and accelerate the spread of resistant microbes.
These conditions create environments where microorganisms can easily transfer from person to person, from the environment to people, or through contaminated food and water.
Effective infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, such as hand hygiene and sanitation, are critical strategies to combat the spread of AMR, not discourage it.

Option A: This is a true statement. The emergence and global spread of new resistance mechanisms are the primary reasons why AMR is considered a major public health crisis, leading to worse clinical outcomes.
Option B: This is a true statement. It accurately describes the basic biological process of how resistance develops through genetic changes in microorganisms upon exposure to antimicrobial drugs.
Option D: This is a true statement. It correctly describes the direct consequence of AMR: treatment failure, persistent infection in an individual, and an increased risk of transmitting the resistant pathogen to others.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Principles of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are at the forefront of combating AMR through antimicrobial stewardship, which involves ensuring antibiotics are used appropriately.
A key nursing role is patient education, emphasizing the importance of taking antibiotics exactly as prescribed and completing the full course, even if symptoms improve earlier.
Meticulous adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, especially hand hygiene, is the single most effective way nurses can prevent the spread of resistant organisms in healthcare settings.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that the question asks for a FALSE statement. This means you are looking for the one option that is factually incorrect.
Read each option carefully and evaluate its truthfulness based on your knowledge of antimicrobial resistance.
Option A describes the global threat of AMR, which is a known fact.
Option B describes how AMR develops, which is the correct mechanism.
Option C claims poor hygiene and infection control 'discourage' AMR. Think critically about this. Poor hygiene typically leads to more infections, not fewer. This should be a red flag.
Option D describes the consequences of AMR (ineffective medicine), which is also a known fact.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Principles of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Stem keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, AMR, FALSE statement
Lead-in keywords: FALSE
Negative lead-in flag: This question asks for the FALSE statement, meaning three options are true and one is false. The task is to identify the incorrect assertion.

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