Antiinfective agents Flashcards
What are antiinfective agents designed to target?
Foreign organisms that invaded and infected the body of a human host.
No example sentence.
What should be monitored carefully in children when using antiinfective agents?
Hydration & nutritional status.
Children have increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal & nervous system effects.
Why has no anti-infective drug been developed that does not affect the host?
Because all living cells are somewhat similar.
No example sentence.
What should be done with caution in pregnant & nursing women when using antiinfective agents?
Extreme caution.
Many antiinfectives affect the fetus & also cross into breastmilk, leading to toxic neonatal effects.
What is the goal of antiinfective agents?
Interfere w/ normal function of invading organism to prevent it from reproducing and to cause cell death without affecting host cells.
Example: C/S Test - important to determine type & extent of infection.
How do some antiinfectives (Penicillin) work?
They interfere with biosynthesis of the pathogen cell wall.
What should be monitored during antiinfective therapy for older adults?
Nutritional status & hydration - susceptible to severe Gl, renal, & neurological adverse effects.
Example: Often present s/s different from younger ones.
Why must anti-infectives that adversely affect the liver & kidneys be used with caution in older adults?
They have decreased organ function, so anti-infectives that adversely affect liver & kidneys must be used with caution.
Example: Some (Sulfonamides & trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) prevent cells of invading organism from using substances essential to their growth & development, leading to an inability to divide & eventually to cell death.
What do Aminoglycosides & Macrolides interfere with?
Protein synthesis
Necessary to maintain the cell and allow for cell division.
What do Fluoroquinolones interfere with?
DNA synthesis
Leading to inability to divide and cell death.
What do Antibiotics, Antifungals, & Antiprotozoal alter?
Cell membrane components
Causing them to leak out, leading to cell death.
What is Bacitracin (Baci-IM)?
An antibiotic that interferes w/ cell wall synthesis of susceptible staphylococcal bacteria.
None
What are the Adverse Effects of Bacitracin?
Nephrotoxicity and superinfection.
None
What are the Indications for using Bacitracin?
Treatment of respiratory infections in infants caused by susceptible staphylococci. Treatment of eye infections. Prevention of infections in minor skin wounds, and treatment of minor skin infections caused by susceptible strains of staphylococci.
None
What are the Usual Dosages for Bacitracin?
IM, ophthalmic, & topical. Infants under 2.5 kg: 900 units/kg/d IM in three divided doses; over 2.5 kg: 1,000 units/kg/d IM in two to three divided doses. Ophthalmic use: V2-in. ribbon to affected eye, b.i.d. to q3-4h. Topical use: apply to affected area 1 to 5 times per day.
None
