Neomycin decreases the amount of ammonia-producing bacteria in the gi tract.-rationale: neomycin lowers the blood ammonia level by reducing the quantity of ammonia-producing bacteria in the gi tract. the drug also exerts its antibacterial activity directly on the ribosomes of susceptible organisms, among them e. coli, by inhibiting protein synthesis via direct action on ribosomal subunits. when present, these bacteria convert urea to ammonia. neomycin is bactericidal in high concentrations and bacteriostatic in low concentrations. thus, it doesnt trap or bind with ammonia in the gi tract.client needs category: physiological integrityclient needs subcategory: pharmacological and parenteral therapiescognitive level: comprehensionreference: karch, a.m. focus on nursing pharmacology, 4th ed. philadelphia: lippincott williams wilkins, 2008, p. 101.