Passage: 'Antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospital environments aim to restrict the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. By conducting regular prescription audits and enforcing pathogen-directed therapy, healthcare systems suppress the selection pressure that breeds multi-drug-resistant pathogens.'
What is the core mechanism by which stewardship programs limit resistance?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Reducing selective pressure by targeting therapies to specific pathogens
- Step 1: Identify how stewardship programs suppress the development of drug-resistant pathogens in the passage.
- Step 2: The text specifies that by "enforcing pathogen-directed therapy, healthcare systems suppress the selection pressure that breeds multi-drug-resistant pathogens," directly linking tailored treatment to reduced selective pressure.
Answer
Reducing selective pressure by targeting therapies to specific pathogens.
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