Infective Disease 1 Flashcards
Name the common categories of antibiotics (8)
- sulfonamides
- penicillins
- cephalosporins
- carbapenems
- macrolides
- quinolones
- aminoglycosides
- tetracyclines
What is the difference between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria? Which is harder to treat and why?
- Gram-positive have a thick cell wall of peptidoglycan and a thick outer capsule
- Gram-negative have a cell wall structure more complex with a smaller outer capsule, a peptidoglycan layer and two cells membranes: an outer and inner membrane
Gram negative = more difficult to treat because the drug molecules have a harder time penetrating the more complex cell walls of gram-negative organisms.
What are some common signs and symptoms of infection? and what are the most common in older adults?
Common:
- fever
- chills
- sweating
- redness
- pain and swelling
- fatigue
- weight loss
- increased WBC count
- formation of pis
Common in older adults:
- confusion
- altered orientation
What are the two most important antibiotic resistant organisms?
MRSA (Methicillin- resistant staphylococcus aureus) and VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococcus)
What is empiric therapy with antibiotics?
When an antibiotic is selected as the best one to kill the microorganisms known to be the most common causes of infection. (Broad spectrum antibiotic)
Is the culture of an infection taken before or after the antibiotic is given and why?
It is taken before the antibiotic is given otherwise it could interfere with the result.
What is definitive therapy with antibiotics?
After getting the results of culture and sensitivity the antibiotic is chosen to be the most narrow spectrum and the least toxic drug based on sensitivity results. The drug that will be most efficient but the least toxic drug for the human.
What is and when is prophylactic antibiotic therapy used?
- prophylactic antibiotic therapy: giving an antibiotic before a procedure that have a risk for microbial contamination.
Used to prevent an infection.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to an antibiotic?
- rash
- itching
- hives
- fever
- chills
- joint pain
- difficulty breathing
- wheezing
What are superinfections and when do they occur?
Superinfections = when antibiotics reduce or destroy the normal bacterial and fungal flora needed for normal functioning or organs so other bacteria and fungi take over and cause infection.
Ex: c. Diff destroys intestinal flora and cause an overgrowth of c. Diff
Most common signs and symptoms of C. Diff
- odorous watery diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- fever
Signs and symptoms of allergic anaphylactic reactions
- flushing
- itching
- hives
- anxiety
- fast irregular pulse
- throat and tongue swelling
Can lead to anaphylactic shock which can cause respiratory arrest.
What are teratogens?
Drugs that cause development abnormalities in the fetus.
What are four of the most common mechanism of antibiotic action?
1) interference with bacterial cell wall synthesis
2) interference with protein synthesis
3) interference with replication of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
4) antimetabolite action that disrupts critical metabolic reactions inside the bacterial cell.
