3 Bacteria Classifications & Antibiotics

Broad-spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics effective against a wide range of bacterial types

Narrow-spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics effective against specific types of bacteria

Bactericidal antibiotics

Antibiotics that kill bacteria directly

Bacteriostatic antibiotics

Antibiotics that inhibit bacterial growth and replication without directly killing bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria whose cell wall retains a stain or resists decolorization with alcohol

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria whose cell wall loses a stain or is decolorized by alcohol

Aerobic bacteria

Bacteria that require oxygen for growth and metabolism

Anaerobic bacteria

Bacteria that grow and function without oxygen

Antibiotic resistance

Development of bacterial strains that are no longer susceptible to antibiotic treatment

Antibiotic stewardship

Coordinated program to optimize antibiotic use, improve patient outcomes, and reduce resistance

Nosocomial infection

Hospital-acquired infection contracted during healthcare facility stay

Community-acquired infection

Infection contracted outside of healthcare settings in the general community