Question

a patient suffering from a bacterial infection was given antibiotics to take by her doctor. the patient took the antibiotics for 6 days out of a 10 - day period. the percentage of bacteria surviving during each day of this period is shown in the table below.

antibiotic treatment
1	300 mg	85%
2	300 mg	45%
3	300 mg	25%
4	300 mg	5%
5	0 mg	10%
6	0 mg	20%
7	0 mg	45%
8	0 mg	55%
9	300 mg	65%
10	300 mg	70%

which of the following conclusions is most likely correct?

a. the bacteria will be completely killed off if the antibiotics dosage is increased.

b. the patient should have not taken the antibiotics again after day 5.

c. the patient has become immune to the bacteria by day 10.

d. the bacteria developed resistance to the antibiotics.

Explanation:

The percentage of bacteria surviving increased when the patient resumed taking antibiotics on day 9 and 10 after a break. This indicates that the bacteria may have developed resistance to the antibiotics. Increasing the dosage is not guaranteed to completely kill off the bacteria based on the given data. There is no evidence the patient became immune by day 10, and stopping the antibiotics after day 5 may not be the best course as the infection may not have been fully treated.

Answer:

D. The bacteria developed resistance to the antibiotics.