HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Enhance your dental knowledge for the HOSA Dental Terminology Exam. Utilize our comprehensive questions and flashcards featuring explanations and hints. Prepare effectively for your test today!

Practice this question and more.

What type of drug is ampicillin classified as?

Analgesic
Anti-infective antibiotic
Antiseptic
Aspirin

The correct answer is: Anti-infective antibiotic

Ampicillin is classified as an anti-infective antibiotic, which means it is designed to treat infections caused by bacteria. This type of drug works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria or killing them outright, making it effective against a wide range of bacterial infections. Ampicillin belongs to the penicillin group, which is known for its ability to disrupt the bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to cell lysis and death of the bacteria. While analgesics are used to relieve pain and antiseptics are used to prevent infection in wounds, these classifications do not apply to ampicillin. Aspirin is a type of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug but is not an antibiotic. Understanding these classifications helps in recognizing the specific uses and mechanisms of different types of medications in the context of treating illnesses.