Kentucky Medication Aide (KMA) State Practice Exam

What is the primary action of Tetracycline as an antibiotic?

1. Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis

2. Interferes with bacterial protein synthesis

3. Increases bacterial growth

4. Promotes absorption of nutrients in bacteria

The correct answer is: Interferes with bacterial protein synthesis

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that primarily works by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis. This occurs through its action on the ribosomal machinery of bacteria, specifically binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. By doing so, it prevents the addition of amino acids to the growing peptide chain, effectively halting protein production, which is essential for bacterial growth and function. This mechanism of action makes tetracycline effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The other options do not correctly describe the mechanism of action of tetracycline. Inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis is characteristic of other classes of antibiotics, such as penicillins or cephalosporins. Increasing bacterial growth is contradictory to the action of an antibiotic, and promoting absorption of nutrients in bacteria does not pertain to the function of tetracycline, which instead works to inhibit bacterial processes. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing how different antibiotics work in the treatment of bacterial infections.