Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 89%
Entry Exam
A patient goes to the doctor with a cold and sore throat and asks for antibiotics. The doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics to the patient because the illness is caused by which of the following pathogens?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Virus. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, such as colds and sore throats caused by viruses. Antibiotics are designed to target bacterial infections, not viral ones. Therefore, the doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics because the patient's illness is viral in nature. It is important for healthcare providers to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections to ensure appropriate treatment and avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics.