Antibiotic therapy and Antibiotics Affecting Cell Wall Flashcards
(40 cards)
What are some examples of gram- positive bacteria?
staph, strep, and enterococci
What are some examples of gram-negative bacteria?
E. coli, pseudomonas, salmonella
Why is culture and sensitivity testing so important before administering antibiotic therapy?
By identifying the microorganisms present in the infection and what antibiotic they are sensitive to we can prescribe the best antibiotic to eradicate the infection.
What does it mean that there is no antibiotic developed yet that is selectively toxic?
This means that an antibiotic that only attacks one type of microorganism has not been invented yet, so all of them have some affect to the hosts cells (normal flora). So they can end up attacking our normal flora MAINLY in our mouth, GI tract, and vagina. This can lead to what is called SUPRAINFECTIONS.
what is a broad-spectrum antibiotic? What are patients on these at a higher risk for?
kills a large variety of different bacteria
They are at a higher risk for suprainfections because they kill more of our normal flora.
What is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic? Is there a risk for suprainfections with these?
These kill a smaller variety of bacteria
There is a much lower risk for suprainfections with these.
By being able to identify specific antigens and having the ability to prescribe an antibiotic that is more specific to that bacteria the risk for suprainfections can be drastically lowered.
What are bacteriocidal antibiotics?
These antibiotics kill bacteria
What are bacteriostatic antibiotics?
These slow the growth of the bacteria allowing for the hosts own immune system to destroy the bacteria.
Are there some situations where a culture and sensitivity cant be done in time and the patients may need to be started on broad spectrum antibiotics before the pathogen is identified? What are the risks with this?
YES YES YES
this will increase the patients risk for a suprainfection
What is a key thing to do when taking a culture and sensitivity?
PREVENT CONTAMINATION, if contaminated an inaccurate result may
What is culture and sensitivity exactly? What is the best time to obtain this?
This is when a sample of the bacteria is obtained and cultured to grow, once the bacteria have colonized they are checked for sensitivity to certain antibiotics.
the best time to obtain this is before antibiotic therapy is started
So in a scenario where someone is transferred to the unit with a prescription for an antibiotic and culture and sensitivity to be taken, what should the nurse do?
Hold the antibiotic until the culture and sensitivity has been taken and reported before antibiotics are administered, if it is practical. This means that a culture and sensitivity must be done in a timely manner. However, sometimes antibiotics will be ordered to be administered before culture and sensitivities are done or reported back.
what are some factors that affect antibiotic therapy?
immunocompromised - may need strong bacteriocidals (even ones reserved for severe infections)
sites of infection (brain & CSF are hard to treat because of BBB…. infected skin lesion with poor circulation)
age - infants/older adults have an increased risk for toxicity (impaired metabolism and excretion…kidney and liver function)
Pregnancy - many are pregnancy category D (gentamicin and tetracyclines)
breastfeeding - avoid while on antibiotics
Describe acquired resistance.
drug resistant bacteria/big in nosocomial infections (strong bacteria that arent killed in hospital setting live to become resistant)
NEED TO TAKE REQUIRED DOSE FOR FULL REGIME, only weak ones destroyed, strong one lives to grow and become resistant
Why was vancomycin created?
Vancomycin was created due to methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and drug resistance in penicillin and cephalosporins
Is there a bacteria that is resistant to vancomycin?
YES YES YES
vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE)
What is the best way to prevent resistance to antibiotics?
doses should be high enough and for a long enough duration to kill ALL microorganisms (not just the weak ones)
Patient teaching is important!
Combo drugs can help!
What is THE USUAL patient teaching for ALL antibiotics?
dont stop even if you feel better! Take the entire prescribed dose regime
Go to the ED if you experience signs of allergic or hypersensitivity reaction (difficulty breathing, rash, difficulty swallowing)
drink lots of fluids (help flush kidneys, also ill patients need hydration anyways)
Watch for signs of suprainfections - vaginal, mouth, GI (call provider)
dont share medication with other people
small, frequent meals could help with GI effects
keep out of reach of children
report signs of allergic reaction - rash, urticaria
What is the therapeutic response of penicillins?
bacteriocidal by disrupting the bacterial cell wall when dividing; drug of choice for gram-positive
What are penicillins the drug of choice for?
gram-positive bacteria
What are penicillins used as prophylaxis against?
bacterial endocarditis in at-risk clients prior to dental and other procedures.
What are some adverse effects of penicillins?
allergic reactions (HIGH HYPERSENSITIVITY RISK)
renal impairment (high doses)
hyperkalemia/dysrhythmias with high doses
cross-sensitivity reaction with cephalosporins (chance of being allergic to chephalosporins if allergic to penicillin and the other way around, (10-20% of population))
What are some nursing considerations for penicillin?
observe clients for 30 minutes after administration (allergic reactions)
monitor for renal impairment
monitor potassium levels and EKG with higher doses - hyperkalemia/dysrhythmias
probenacid (Probalan) (antigout) - delays excretion of penicillin (can be used if not enough penicillin for full dosage regime to increase therapeutic effectiveness time of smaller dose of penicillin by delaying excretion)
What are some patient teaching points for penicillins?
THE USUAL
take with a full glass of water one hour before or two hours after a meal
Allergic reactions are common - report rash, pruritis, difficulty breathing/swallowing
