Module 9 12 Part 6 Flashcards
Q: What is necessary to ensure the success of antimicrobial therapy in treating an infection?
Adequate drug concentration at the infection site is essential for success.
Q: How should dosages be adjusted for antibiotics used in infection treatment?
Dosages should be adjusted to achieve drug concentrations equal to or greater than the MIC (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) for the specific infection.
Q: What is the ideal range of drug levels concerning the MIC for effective infection treatment?
Having drug levels 4 to 8 times the MIC is often desirable for successful treatment.
Q: What factors influence the duration of antimicrobial therapy for an infection?
The duration depends on variables like the patient’s host defenses, the site of the infection, and the identity of the infecting organism.
Q: Why is it crucial for patients to complete their full course of antibiotics?
Completing the full course of antibiotics is essential to prevent recurrent infections and the development of more drug-resistant organisms.
Q: What should patients do even if their symptoms improve before the antibiotic course ends?
Patients should continue taking the antibiotics for the entire prescribed duration.
Q: What can happen if patients discontinue antibiotics prematurely?
Early discontinuation is a common cause of recurrent infection, and the organisms responsible for relapse are likely to be more drug-resistant.
Q: Why is it important to educate patients about finishing their prescribed antibiotic course?
Educating patients about finishing their prescribed antibiotic course is important to ensure proper treatment and avoid the development of drug resistance.
Q: When is combination antibiotic therapy considered appropriate?
Combination antibiotic therapy is considered appropriate in specific situations, particularly when it has the potential to be lifesaving.
Q: Should the routine use of two or more antibiotics be encouraged?
No, the routine use of multiple antibiotics should be discouraged.
Q: What is the usual approach when an infection is caused by a single, identified microbe?
When a single microbe is responsible for an infection, the usual approach is to treat it with a single appropriate antibiotic.
Q: What is an additive response in combination antibiotic therapy?
An additive response occurs when the combined antimicrobial effect of two antibiotics equals the sum of their individual effects.
Q: What is a potentiative (synergistic) interaction in antibiotic combination therapy?
A potentiative interaction happens when the effect of the antibiotic combination is greater than the sum of the effects of the individual drugs.
Q: Can you provide an example of a classic potentiative interaction with antibiotics?
Trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole is a classic example of a potentiative interaction as they inhibit sequential steps in the synthesis of tetrahydrofolic acid.
Q: What is antagonism in combination antibiotic therapy?
Antagonism occurs when a combination of two antibiotics is less effective than one of the agents used alone.
Q: When is antagonism most likely to occur in antibiotic combination therapy?
Antagonism is most likely when a bacteriostatic antibiotic, like tetracycline, is combined with a bactericidal drug, such as penicillin.
Q: Why does antagonism happen when combining a bacteriostatic and a bactericidal antibiotic?
Bactericidal drugs are effective against actively growing bacteria, and the presence of a bacteriostatic drug can suppress bacterial growth, reducing the effectiveness of the bactericidal drug.
Q: What are the consequences of antagonism between antibiotics when host defenses are compromised?
When host defenses are compromised, antagonism between antibiotics can have dire consequences.
Q: When is it common to use multiple antibiotics in severe infections?
Multiple antibiotics are commonly used for the initial treatment of severe infections of unknown cause, particularly in individuals with neutropenia.
Q: Why is broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage used in these situations?
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used because the specific infecting organism is unknown, and this approach covers a wide range of potential pathogens.
Q: How is the scope of broad coverage determined in antibiotic therapy for severe infections?
The extent of broad coverage depends on the clinician’s ability to narrow down potential pathogens based on clinical evaluation.
Q: When can drug selection be adjusted in this context?
Drug selection can be adjusted once the identity of the infecting microbe is known.
Q: What is the importance of obtaining samples for culture before starting drug therapy in severe infections?
It is crucial to obtain samples for culture before initiating drug therapy to accurately identify the infecting organism and guide antibiotic treatment.
Q: Can infections be caused by multiple types of microorganisms?
Yes, infections can be caused by more than one microbial species.
Q: In what situations is it common to find infections with multiple microbial species?
Such infections are commonly seen in brain abscesses, pelvic infections, and infections resulting from the perforation of abdominal organs.
Q: Why might treatment with more than one antibiotic be required in such cases?
Treatment with multiple antibiotics may be necessary when the involved microbial species differ in their susceptibility to antibiotics.
Q: Is tuberculosis one of the exceptions where combination therapy with multiple antibiotics is used?
Yes, tuberculosis is an exceptional case where combination therapy is intentionally employed.
Q: What is the primary purpose of using combination therapy for tuberculosis?
The main aim of combination therapy in tuberculosis is to prevent the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Q: Where can you find more information about why tuberculosis differs in its approach to combination therapy compared to other infections?
You can find a detailed explanation in Chapter 77 of the source material.
Q: In what situations can combining antibiotics be beneficial for reducing toxicity to the host?
Combining antibiotics can be useful when trying to reduce toxicity to the host in certain cases.
Q: Can you provide an example of such a situation where antibiotic combination reduces host toxicity?
In the treatment of fungal meningitis, combining flucytosine with amphotericin B is used for this purpose.
Q: What is the primary goal of using this antibiotic combination in fungal meningitis treatment?
The goal is to reduce the risk of kidney damage by allowing for a lower dosage of amphotericin B.
Q: In what specific infections can combining antibiotics result in a stronger antibacterial effect?
Antibiotic combinations can have greater antibacterial action in particular infections.
Q: What’s an example of such an infection where antibiotic combination is more effective?
Enterococcal endocarditis is an example where penicillin and an aminoglycoside are combined for enhanced efficacy.
