Antimicrobial Prophylaxis

Question 1

What is the definition of prophylaxis

Answer 1

Treatment or action taken to prevent or guard from a disease in a asymptomatic person that is not infected

Question 2

Who gets to receive antimicrobial prophylaxis

Answer 2

People at risk of developing infection as result of exposure or condition in situations where infection is common & predictable w/ serious consequences

Question 3

What is the advantage of antimicrobial prophylaxis

Answer 3

Individuals and populations not infected

Question 4

What is the 5 disadvantages of antimicrobial prophylaxis

Answer 4

1. Side effects of the medication
2. Allergies
3. Diarrhoea associated with antibiotics
4. Antibiotics resistance
5. Costs

Question 5

What is the 4 principles of antimicrobial prophylaxis

Answer 5

Right drug for organism
Right time for maximum protection when needed
Right duration for shortest time
Right dose for adequate concentration at site

Question 6

What is the 2 types of therapies/treatment and define

Answer 6

1. Empiric treatment: based on knowledge of most likely causative agent (broad spectrum)
2. Directed treatment: specific organism is identified in lab & used target therapy (narrow spectrum)

Question 7

What is the 3 factors considered w/ surgical site infection prophylaxis

Answer 7

1. Patient factors: immune status & nutritional statutes
2. Procedure factors: degree of trauma, surgical technique or insertion of foreign bodies
3. Microbial factors according to wound classification of number of microbes present

Question 8

What is the most likely causative agent with surgical site infection

Answer 8

Flora present at the site of incision