MODULE 2: PATIENTS WITH INFECTIONS Flashcards
Signs of chronic infection
- significant weight loss
- pallor associated with anemia of chronic disease
Signs of acute infection:
fever, chills, lymphademopathy, cough, SOB rash;
close to site = purulent drainage, pain, edema, redness
Risk factors for infection:
immunocompromised, age, nutritional status, medications
Clinical presentation of:
1) Inflammation
2) Infection
1) Redness, swelling, pain, warmth
2) All of above + exudate
Diagnostics r/t infection:
- WBC count
- Differential
- C-Reactive Protein
- Procalcitonin
- Gram stain
- C & S
Significance of Procalcitonin?
Indicator that bacterial infection has entered blood (sepsis)
(produced by C Cells in thyroid, peptide precursor of the hormone calcitonin, which is involved in calcium homeostasis)
How to determine if infection is localized or systemic?
Vital Signs
Check for sepsis - procalcitonin levels
Which population is prone to sepsis from UTI’s?
The elderly
Signs of pneumonia?
- productive cough (yellow/green sputum)
- decreased air entry (around area of infection)
- crackles + wheeze
- inc temp
- inc resps
What procalcitonin level indicates possible sepsis?
> 2 mg/ml
More common side effects of antibiotic therapy?
Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Nephrotoxicity Hepatic toxicity
Lifespan considerations for antibiotic admin for:
1) Ped’s
2) Elderly
3) Pregnancy
1) Dosages are weight-based
2) Lower dosages
3) Potential to harm fetus/mother
Pregnancy Categories in Drug guide:
A) Can be ordered – no risk to fetus for abnormalities (has been tested with pregnant women with no adverse effects)
B) Yes (no adverse effects on animals in studies and no report of adverse from pregnant women)
C) ?? Not enough adequate controlled studies (unknown)
D) Risk to the fetus (definite) but benefit may outweigh the risks
X) DO NOT USE
3 important lab tests to perform with infection?
WBC Count/Differential
Procalcitonin
Culture + sensitivity (microbiology)
Three components shown by C & S
- the smear + stain
- the cultural and organisms identification
- the antimicrobial susceptibility (ie sensitivity)
2 Anti-inflammatory NSAIDS = ?
ASA (aspirin) + ibuprofen (advil)
What are NSAIDS?
large and chemically diverse group, are analgesic,
anti-inflammatory antiarthritic
antipyretics
- Generally less side effects than steroidal antiinflammatories
NSAIDS taken for?
Pain fever, inflammation (+ rheumatism)
Rheumatism =
general term for disorders characterized by inflm, degeneration, or metabolic derangement of connective tissue structures like joints
Acetaminophen
1) NSAID?
2) Common name?
3) Mechanism of action?
4) Why is it most commonly taken?
1) No
2) Tylenol
3) blocks prostaglandin synthesis; also acts on hypothalamus to lower set point
4) Has least side effects (not associated with bleeding or GI tract irritation, etc. like aspirin)
What is the antipyretic drug choice for children?
Acetaminophen (aspirin = Reye’s syndrom)
Potential side effects of acetaminophen?
rash, nausea, vomiting; blood disorders; hepatotoxicity if acute very high dose 150mg/kg; nephropathy if large amounts over long period of time
Max dose acetaminophen/day?
4000mg
- Note: may go over inadvertently if also on fixed ratio opioid that also includes acetaminophen