Which statement about the effectiveness of antibiotics is false?

The statement regarding the effectiveness of antibiotics for most viral infections is indeed the false one. Antibiotics are specifically designed to combat bacterial infections; they work by targeting specific structures or processes within bacteria, ultimately leading to the destruction or inhibition of bacterial growth.

Viral infections, on the other hand, are caused by viruses, which possess different structures and mechanisms than bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics have no effect on viruses. This is a crucial distinction in medicine, as misunderstanding the nature of infections can lead to inappropriate use of antibiotics, which not only fails to treat the viral illness but also contributes to antibiotic resistance.

The other statements about antibiotics are true. They are effective for bacterial infections, can be used prophylactically to prevent infections in certain surgical contexts, and it is important to complete the full course of an antibiotic regimen to ensure the complete eradication of the bacteria and to prevent the development of resistance.