Antimicrobial Drugs Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following does NOT play a role in the selection of antimicrobial agents?

  • The safety of the agent.
  • Patient factors.
  • The patient's favorite food. (correct)
  • The site of the infection.

Which of the following is a key component in determining the safety of an antimicrobial agent?

  • The potential for adverse effects on the host. (correct)
  • The historical use of the agent.
  • The popularity of the drug among patients.
  • The availability of the agent.

What is the primary mechanism of action for bacteriostatic drugs?

  • They enable bacteria to replicate.
  • They kill bacteria at high serum levels.
  • They arrest the growth and replication of bacteria. (correct)
  • They enhance the spread of infection.

How do bactericidal drugs differ from bacteriostatic drugs?

<p>Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria at achievable serum levels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the immune system play in conjunction with bacteriostatic drugs?

<p>It attacks, immobilizes, and eliminates the bacteria. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the effect of bacteriostatic drugs?

<p>They can prevent the spread of infection. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what serum levels do bactericidal drugs operate effectively?

<p>At serum levels that are achievable in a patient. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Antimicrobial drugs' action

Antimicrobial drugs target and damage invading microbes without harming the host's cells.

Choosing the right drug

Selecting the best antimicrobial depends on the microbe, its sensitivity, infection location, patient, drug safety and cost.

Microbe's identity

Knowing the type of microbe causing an infection.

Microbe's susceptibility

Determining if a microbe is vulnerable to a particular antimicrobial drug.

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Infection site

Location of the infection in the body.

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Gram stain

A staining technique used to quickly assess the type of bacteria present in a sample.

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Sterile body fluids

Fluids naturally free of microorganisms, like blood, CSF, and urine.

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Why is identifying the microbe important?

Knowing the type of microbe causing an infection allows us to select the most effective treatment.

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Morphologic features

The physical characteristics of an organism, such as shape, size, and arrangement of its cells.

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Rapid assessment

A quick evaluation of the characteristics of an organism, often using a Gram stain.

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Bacteriostatic drugs

Drugs that stop bacteria from multiplying but don't kill them directly.

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Bactericidal drugs

Drugs that kill bacteria directly.

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How do bacteriostatic drugs work?

Bacteriostatic drugs prevent bacteria from multiplying, allowing the body's immune system to fight the infection.

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What do bactericidal drugs do?

Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria directly, reducing the number of microbes in the body.

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What is the goal of antimicrobial treatment?

To reduce the number of bacteria in the body to a level where the immune system can effectively take control.

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Study Notes

Antimicrobial Drugs

  • Antimicrobial drugs are used to treat infections.
  • They work by harming invading microorganisms without harming the host cells. This is called selective toxicity.

Selection of Antimicrobial Agents

  • Choosing the right drug depends on several factors:
    • Identifying the microorganism causing the infection.
    • Determining the microorganism's sensitivity (susceptibility) to different drugs.
    • Knowing the location of the infection (e.g., bloodstream, lungs).
    • Considering patient factors like allergies or other health conditions.
    • Assessing the drug's safety profile for the patient.
    • Evaluating the cost of the treatment.

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