Antimicrobials Flashcards
What does the M in MINDME stand for?
Microbiology - refers to the fact that you should do a culture to determine which organism is present
Apart from pre-surgery, give 2 examples of acceptable prophylactic use of antibiotics
- recurrent UTIs
- needle stick injuries involving HIV pts
- contacts of TB, meningitis
- immunocompromised patients
Which non-penicillin class is most likely to have cross-reactivity in a patient with a penicillin allergy? Give an example
Class = cephalosporins Example = cefalexin
Define an opportunistic pathogen
A pathogen that wouldn’t normally cause disease, but will do so in an immunocompromised patient
Name 2 ways that the body’s normal flora can contribute to infection
- overgrowth (e.g. thrush)
- translocation (e.g. UTI)
Raised neutrophils indicates which type of infection?
Bacterial
Raised lymphocytes indicates which type of infection?
Viral
Signs of chronic infection?
Weight loss, anaemia, decreased growth, malnutrition
Symptoms of sepsis / septic shock?
Fast resp rate, hypotension, tachycardia, rash, confusion, no urine produced
Sx that might indicate meningitis?
Stiff neck, non-blanching rash, photophobia (discomfort in light), bulging head in infants
Normal temperature range when taken orally?
36-38 (should be 37)
Why might older patients not have a raised temperature with infection?
They might have a temperature higher than their regular temp - indicating fever and infection - but it is harder to detect because the older the colder
High fever vs mild?
Mild = below 39 High = above 39
One reason to NOT treat fever?
- it is a useful way to monitor progression of the infection
- raised body temperature can inhibit microbe growth
Reasons to treat fever?
Symptom relief, reduce dehydration
Is a fever with no other symptoms concerning?
Yes. This is a referral point
Name 2 groups of B-lactams
Penicillins and cephalosporins
Why is cefalexin’s cross-reactivity with penicillins worse than the others in its class?
Because not only do they share the B lactam ring, but also have a similar side chain
Define MIC
The minimum inhibitory concentration - lowest concentration at which the drug will inhibit visible growth after overnight incubation
Define VRE
Vancomycin resistant enterococcus
Define MRSA
Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus
Name 2 techniques used to reduce AB resistance
- reduce AB usage
- promote research and development for new drugs
- increase hospital hygiene and infection control
- raise awareness and promote appropriate AB use in community
Which is the worse penicillin allergy - IgE mediated or IgE independent?
IgE mediated. This is a true allergic reaction rather than hypersensitivity
