A recent campaign, initiated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to delay the emergence of antibiotic resistance in hospitals, has what as one of its objectives?

A. Allowing prescribers to develop their own prescribing guidelines: The CDC promotes standardized, evidence-based prescribing practices rather than leaving it solely to individual prescribers. Standardization helps reduce inappropriate antibiotic use across hospitals. B. Increased use of antibiotics among parents of young children: The campaign aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, not increase it. Overuse in children, especially for viral illnesses, contributes significantly to antibiotic resistance. C. Increased adherence to prescribed antibiotics: One of the CDC’s primary objectives is ensuring patients take antibiotics exactly as prescribed in terms of dose, timing, and duration. Completing the full course prevents survival of resistant bacteria and reduces treatment failure. D. Allowing patients to stop antibiotics when symptoms subside: Stopping antibiotics early encourages bacterial survival and mutation, leading to resistance. The CDC strongly advises completing the prescribed course regardless of symptom improvement.