Antimicrobials and Infection Treatment

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Questions and Answers

What is a critical nursing intervention for a patient receiving cephalosporins?

Monitor cardiac function

Monitor for signs of hypertension

Monitor respiratory rate

Monitor urinary function (correct)

Which of the following antibiotics is effective against MRSA?

Amoxicillin

Vancomycin (correct)

Ceftriaxone

Cefazolin

What should be avoided when administering cephalosporins?

Alcohol consumption

Calcium-rich products (correct)

Food intake

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

In what way do cephalosporins primarily act against bacteria?

Destroy bacterial cell walls Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a first-generation cephalosporin?

Cefazolin Signup and view all the answers

What type of infections can cephalosporins effectively treat?

Respiratory infections Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following adverse effects is associated with cephalosporins?

Anaphylaxis Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended client teaching regarding the use of antibiotics?

Take the full course as prescribed Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of penicillins in antimicrobial therapy?

Destroy bacteria by weakening the bacterial cell wall Signup and view all the answers

Which method is preferred for identifying microorganisms when gram stain does not yield a positive identification?

Culture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of penicillins?

Anaphylaxis Signup and view all the answers

Before administering antibiotics, what should be collected to ensure appropriate treatment?

Culture and sensitivity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a narrow spectrum penicillin?

Amoxil (amoxicillin) Signup and view all the answers

Which nursing intervention is important when administering penicillins via intramuscular injection?

Rotate injection sites Signup and view all the answers

What is a common teaching point for clients prescribed penicillins?

Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed Signup and view all the answers

Which function is primarily inhibited by the method of action of certain antimicrobials?

Protein synthesis in bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Principles of Antimicrobial Therapy

Antimicrobials are used to treat infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Mechanisms of action include:
- Destroying bacterial cell walls.
- Inhibiting unique bacterial enzymes essential for survival.
- Impairing protein synthesis in ribosomes.
- Disrupting RNA and DNA synthesis/functions.
- Inhibiting viral replication.
Classified into narrow-spectrum (target specific bacteria) and broad-spectrum (target a wide range of bacteria).

Selection of Antimicrobials

Accurate identification of pathogens is essential for effective treatment.
Lab tests (blood, urine, sputum, wound drainage) used to identify microorganisms.
Gram stain allows direct identification of organisms under a microscope.
Cultures grow colonies over time and are preferred if gram stains yield inconclusive results.
Culture specimens must be collected before starting medication to avoid contamination.

Penicillins

Serve to destroy bacteria by weakening their cell walls.
Common uses include treating pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis (prophylaxis), UTIs, and syphilis.
Adverse effects involve anaphylaxis, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (N/V/D), nephrotoxicity, thrombocytopenia, Steven-Johnson syndrome, and Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
Prefix: -CILLIN, with examples including:
- Natural penicillins: Bicillin CR (narrow spectrum).
- Aminopenicillins: Amoxil (amoxicillin), Principin (ampicillin) (broad spectrum).
- Combination therapies: Augmentin, Zosyn, Unasyn.
- Extended spectrum: Geocillin, Ticar.
Nursing interventions include administering via deep IM injection in large muscle, rotating sites, and ensuring medications are taken on an empty stomach.
Client education emphasizes adherence to the full course and proper suspension storage.

Penicillins and Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) does not respond to standard penicillin therapies; requires higher potency antibiotics like Vancomycin.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) represent a newer antibiotic resistance challenge.

Cephalosporins

Prefix: CEF- and CEPH-, with examples:
- First Generation: Duricef (cefadroxil), Ancef (cefazolin), Keflex (cephalexin).
- Second Generation: Mefoxin (cefoxitin), Cefzil (cefprozil).
- Third Generation: Omnicef (cefdinir), Cefobid (cefoperazone), Claforan (cefotaxime), Rocephin (ceftriaxone).
Function similarly to penicillins by destroying bacterial cell walls.
Most drugs administered IM or IV due to poor GI absorption.
Uses include respiratory infections, otitis media, bone/joint infections, UTIs, and surgical site infections.
Adverse effects are similar to penicillins, including cross-sensitivity with PCN.

Inhibitors of Cell Wall Synthesis

Key examples include Azactam (aztreonam), Primaxin (imipenem/cilastatin), and Vancomycin.
Purpose is to disrupt bacterial cell walls leading to microorganism death.
Primarily used against MRSA and C. diff infections.

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Description

Explore the principles and methods of antimicrobial therapy for treating infections. This quiz covers various mechanisms of action, classifications of anti-infectives, and the process of selecting appropriate antimicrobials based on lab testing. Enhance your understanding of how these therapies work against bacteria and viruses.