Why Is It So Difficult to Kill Acid- Fast Bacteria

question 8

Multiple Choice

Why is it so difficult to kill acid- fast bacteria?

• A) The bacteria are very motile and can travel to areas with a lower concentration of hazardous chemicals.
• B) Mycolic acid makes it very difficult for nutrients and gases to enter or exit cells.
• C) The acid in the bacteria denatures most antibiotics before they can work.
• D) They are just as difficult to kill as Gram- positive bacteria.
• E) The bacteria are able to quickly break down several types of antibiotics before the concentration can reach dangerous levels.

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Definitions:

Lower Control Limit

A statistical boundary in quality control processes, below which a process variation is considered non-random and indicative of a systemic issue needing correction.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set, used as a measure of statistical dispersion.

Natural Causes

Factors that affect events or conditions based on processes inherent to the natural world, as opposed to human-made influences.

Assignable Causes

Factors identified as reasons for variation in a process, which can be isolated and where corrective action can be applied.