Utah Master Esthetician Practice Exam

What is the main action of erythromycin in treating conditions?

1. Antiviral

2. Antimicrobial

3. Anti-inflammatory

4. Antineoplastic

The correct answer is: Antimicrobial

The primary action of erythromycin is antimicrobial, which means it works to inhibit the growth of bacteria. This is particularly important in treating bacterial infections, as erythromycin belongs to a class of antibiotics known as macrolides. It functions by binding to the bacterial ribosome, thus disrupting protein synthesis, which is crucial for bacterial growth and replication. While some other options refer to important categories in medicine, they do not align with the specific pharmacological action of erythromycin. For instance, antiviral medications target viruses instead of bacteria, anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation rather than directly combat infections, and antineoplastic agents are designed for cancer treatment by inhibiting the growth of tumor cells. Therefore, the characterization of erythromycin as antimicrobial is pivotal in understanding its role and efficacy in various medical treatments involving bacterial infections.