What are the four core actions according to the CDC for fighting antibiotic resistance?

What are the four core actions according to the CDC for fighting antibiotic resistance?

• A. Vaccinate all patients; Track infections; Improve prescribing (stewardship); Develop new drugs and diagnostics
• B. Prevent infections; Track infections; Improve prescribing (stewardship); Develop new drugs and diagnostics
• C. Prevent infections; Diagnose infections; Reduce prescribing; Develop vaccines
• D. Prevent hospitalizations; Reduce antibiotic use; Improve sanitation; Share data

Answer: (B)

The main idea is the CDC’s four-pronged approach to curb antibiotic resistance: prevent infections, track infections, improve prescribing (antibiotic stewardship), and develop new drugs and diagnostics. Preventing infections reduces the need for antibiotics in the first place, through measures like vaccination, infection control, and good hygiene. Tracking infections provides the data we need to see where resistance is rising and how antibiotic use is changing, guiding targeted actions. Improving prescribing, or stewardship, ensures antibiotics are used appropriately—right drug, dose, duration, and only when needed. Developing new drugs and diagnostics keeps pace with evolving resistance and helps clinicians choose effective therapies more quickly. The other options don’t line up with this framework: they either introduce elements not identified as one of the four core actions (like vaccinating everyone as a standalone core action) or substitute prevention, surveillance, stewardship, and innovation with related but different concepts (diagnosing infections, reducing use without stewardship, or focusing on hospitalizations and sanitation).

The main idea is the CDC’s four-pronged approach to curb antibiotic resistance: prevent infections, track infections, improve prescribing (antibiotic stewardship), and develop new drugs and diagnostics. Preventing infections reduces the need for antibiotics in the first place, through measures like vaccination, infection control, and good hygiene. Tracking infections provides the data we need to see where resistance is rising and how antibiotic use is changing, guiding targeted actions. Improving prescribing, or stewardship, ensures antibiotics are used appropriately—right drug, dose, duration, and only when needed. Developing new drugs and diagnostics keeps pace with evolving resistance and helps clinicians choose effective therapies more quickly. The other options don’t line up with this framework: they either introduce elements not identified as one of the four core actions (like vaccinating everyone as a standalone core action) or substitute prevention, surveillance, stewardship, and innovation with related but different concepts (diagnosing infections, reducing use without stewardship, or focusing on hospitalizations and sanitation).