Principles for using Anti-Infective Agents Flashcards
How are anti-infective agents different from other drugs
There is a direct effect on pathogens that effect its ability to prevent invasion, inhibit growth, or eradicate the pathogen
T/F: Anti-infective drugs could possbily alter the normal flora, therefore making the patient more vulnerable to additional infectious disease
True
What are the five Ds
Diagnosis, Drug, Dose, De-escalation, Duration
T/F: Specimen examination should occur before antibiotic therapy since there will be changes after the therapy
True
What are nonspecific blood tests that are done
peripheral white blood count, ESR and C-reactive protein, Procalcitonin
What is a left shift when testing peripheral white blood count and what could it mean
There is a shift towards more immature leukocytes, this could mean there is a bacterial infection
What are the factors that will most likely influence what bacterial organism is causing the infection
Where is the infection, gram stains, antibiotic of choice for common organisms, age,severity, hospital-acquired vs community, prior antibiotic use
What indications for antibiotic combinations
broad spectrum of activity, multiple organisms present, synergism greatly enhances activity, limiting or preventing the emergence of resistance
What are disadvantages of using multiple antibiotics
increased risk of drug sensitivity/toxicity, increased risk of colonization with resistant organisms, potential for the drugs to antagonize one another, higher cost, false security
What are host factors that can influence selection of a specific anti-infective agent
genetics (enzyme deficiencies), pregnancy and lactation, renal function, liver function, humoral and cellular host defense, prosthetic devices
What are the two ways antibiotics can be given parentally, when would this method be used
IV and IM/ serious infections
What are reasons why oral antibiotics would be used
Completion of antibiotic therapy, common outpatient infections, switch therapy or sequential therapy
What type of infections would cause a patient to use home IV antibiotics
bone and joint infections, subacute bacterial endocarditis, and pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis patients
When would intitial therapy need modification
availability to switch from broad spectrum to narrow spectrum, susceptibility test available, multiple negative cultures,
