Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic of antibiotics?

The choice indicating that antibiotics promote bacterial growth is accurate in identifying a characteristic that is not typically associated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are designed specifically to combat bacterial infections by either killing bacteria directly or inhibiting their growth and reproduction.

While options describing that antibiotics can be prescription drugs, block bacterial reproduction, and treat bacterial infections all reflect true characteristics of antibiotics, the idea that they promote bacterial growth contradicts their primary purpose. Antibiotics function by targeting the mechanisms or functions crucial for bacterial survival and replication, thus preventing the bacteria from growing or multiplying within the host's body. This understanding is essential for grasping how antibiotics are used in clinical settings to manage infections effectively.