Which statement best describes sputum culture and sensitivity testing?

Which statement best describes sputum culture and sensitivity testing?

• A. Culture identifies bacteria type; sensitivity identifies antibiotics that will kill bacteria.
• B. Culture identifies antibiotic susceptibility; sensitivity identifies bacteria type.
• C. Culture identifies viral pathogens; sensitivity identifies bacterial pathogens.
• D. Culture is not useful for guiding antibiotic therapy.

Answer: (A)

Sputum culture and sensitivity testing works in two steps: first, culture identifies the bacteria present by growing and characterizing the organism, which tells you the type of bacteria causing the infection. Then, sensitivity testing examines how that specific organism responds to various antibiotics, showing which drugs are likely to be effective against it. This combination lets clinicians tailor therapy to the exact pathogen, choosing antibiotics the organism is susceptible to and avoiding those to which it’s resistant. Viral pathogens aren’t identified by this bacterial culture, and antibiotic sensitivity isn’t a concept applied to viruses, which is why the statement about sensitivity identifying antibiotics that will kill the bacteria fits best. In short, culture provides the organism ID, and sensitivity provides the antibiotic options likely to work against that organism.

Sputum culture and sensitivity testing works in two steps: first, culture identifies the bacteria present by growing and characterizing the organism, which tells you the type of bacteria causing the infection. Then, sensitivity testing examines how that specific organism responds to various antibiotics, showing which drugs are likely to be effective against it. This combination lets clinicians tailor therapy to the exact pathogen, choosing antibiotics the organism is susceptible to and avoiding those to which it’s resistant. Viral pathogens aren’t identified by this bacterial culture, and antibiotic sensitivity isn’t a concept applied to viruses, which is why the statement about sensitivity identifying antibiotics that will kill the bacteria fits best. In short, culture provides the organism ID, and sensitivity provides the antibiotic options likely to work against that organism.