What does sensitivity testing identify?

What does sensitivity testing identify?

• A. The organism
• B. Which antibiotic will kill the organism
• C. The infection source
• D. The dose needed

Answer: (B)

Sensitivity testing, also called antibiotic susceptibility testing, assesses how a bacterial isolate responds to different antibiotics to determine which drug is most likely to be effective. By testing a panel of drugs, the lab determines which ones inhibit growth, helping clinicians choose an antibiotic with activity against the organism at achievable concentrations in the patient. It does not identify the organism itself—that comes from culture and identification tests. It also doesn’t indicate the infection’s source. While the results can influence dosing decisions through concepts like the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and PK/PD considerations, the main purpose is to show which antibiotic is likely to work, not to set a specific dose.

Sensitivity testing, also called antibiotic susceptibility testing, assesses how a bacterial isolate responds to different antibiotics to determine which drug is most likely to be effective. By testing a panel of drugs, the lab determines which ones inhibit growth, helping clinicians choose an antibiotic with activity against the organism at achievable concentrations in the patient. It does not identify the organism itself—that comes from culture and identification tests. It also doesn’t indicate the infection’s source. While the results can influence dosing decisions through concepts like the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and PK/PD considerations, the main purpose is to show which antibiotic is likely to work, not to set a specific dose.