PHM Antibiotics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to pharmacology and antibiotic treatments, preparing students for their exam.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of how drugs affect the body.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how the body affects drugs, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Antimicrobial Resistance

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of drugs that once worked against them.

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)

Determines which antibiotic to choose and the strategy of dosing - Sensitive or Resistant. - Prevents visible growth of bacteria. 

Bacterial Infections

Infections caused by bacterial pathogens, which can be either outpatient or inpatient.

Beta-lactams

A class of antibiotics that includes penicillins and cephalosporins, characterized by their beta-lactam ring. Exhibit time-dependent killing, above MIC. Causes hypersensitivity/allergic reactions. 

Gram-positive pathogens

Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan cell wall that retain the crystal violet stain used in Gram staining.

Hypersensitivity

An exaggerated immune response to a drug, which can cause allergic reactions.

Cephalosporins

A class of broad-spectrum antibiotics derived from cephalosporin C, effective against a variety of bacteria.

Tetracyclines

A class of antibiotics effective against a wide range of bacteria, often used for skin infections and acne.

Empiric therapy

Treatment administered before a definitive diagnosis is made, based on the most likely cause of infection.

Safety profile

The assessment of the potential risks and adverse effects associated with a drug.

Anaerobic pathogens

Bacteria that do not require oxygen for growth and may be involved in certain infections.

Pathogen

An organism that can cause disease in a host, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Immune Response

The body's defensive reaction to foreign substances involves various cells and proteins that work together to identify and eliminate pathogens.

Infection 

The invasion and multiplication of pathogens in a host, leading to disease.

Outpatient Bacterial Infection

A bacterial infection treated without hospitalization, typically managed through prescription antibiotics.

Strep Throat

Caused by Streptococcus bacteria, presenting with sore throat and fever.

Sinusitis

Infection and inflammation of the sinuses often occur after a cold. 

Actue Otitis Media

A middle ear infection.

Community-acquired pneumonia

A lung infection contracted outside of a hospital or healthcare setting.

Skin/Soft tissue Infection

Infections involving the skin and underlying tissues. 

Urinary tract Infection(UTI)/ Cystitis

An infection in any part of the urinary system, commonly affecting the bladder.

Chlamydia/Gonorrhea

A common sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. These infections can affect both men and women and often present with symptoms such as discharge and pain during urination, but may also be asymptomatic.

Inpatient Bacterial Infection

A bacterial infection that occurs in a patient who is admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Sepsis

A systemic, life-threatening response to infection, often leading to organ failure. 

Pneumonia

A lung infection that occurs while the patient is hospitalized.

Pyelonephritis

A type of kidney infection that can occur when bacteria travel up from the bladder, often requiring hospitalization for treatment.

Cellulitis

A diffuse skin infection characterized by redness and swelling.

Clostridium difficile 

An anaerobic bacterium that can cause severe colitis and is known for its resistance to various antibiotics. 

Cell Wall synthesis inhibitors(Break it down)

Penicillin and Cephalosporins

Protein Synthesis Inhibitor(making it unable)

Tetracyclines and Macrolides

RNA or DNA synthesis inhibitor(prevention) 

Rifampin and Fluoroquinolones  

Antimetabolites - poisonous to bacteria 

Sulfonamides 

Gram-Negative Pathogens

Bacteria that do not retain the purple stain used in Gram staining, often associated with increased resistance to antibiotics.

Atypical Respiratory Pathogen

Bacteria that cause respiratory infections but do not conform to traditional Gram staining methods, including organisms such as Mycoplasma and Chlamydia, and Legionella pneumophila. Does not require the presence of a cell wall for survival.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

No cell wall. 

Chlamydia pneumoniae

Must infect another cell to reproduce. 

Legionella pneumophilia

Unique lipopolysaccharide content in the cell membrane.

Bacteroides Fragilis

Common in polymicrobial infections.

Clostridium Difficile

Causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Clostridium Botulinum 

Produces botulinum toxin.

Clostridium Tetani

Causes tetanus, resulting from toxin production.

Selection of Resistance

Resistance can develop during treatment; hence the importance of selecting the appropriate drug, dose, and duration

Antibiotic Classification

Grouped by Chemical Structure and What they kill.

Glycopeptides 

They are a class of antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis, primarily effective against Gram-positive bacteria.

Fluoroquinolones

are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Macrolides

Target ribosomal functions to inhibit protein synthesis. 

Tetracyclines

Broad-spectrum antibiotics that also inhibit protein synthesis.

Miscellaneous Agents

Other agents that have unique mechanisms of actions.

Time Dependent Killing 

The longer the antibiotic concentration is above the MIC, the better it kills. 

Concentration Dependent Killing

Antibiotics that work best with more drugs in the body, which cause a peak level. Higher peak = better kill. 

Hypersensitivity - Type 1 

An immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE antibodies, often resulting in symptoms such as hives, asthma, or anaphylaxis.

Hypersensitivity - Type 2

A delayed allergic reaction that involves non-IgE (IgG or IgM) antibodies and leads to the destruction of target cells, primarily a rash (Maculopapular).

Hypersensitivity - Type 3

It can cause drug fever, which can be difficult to distinguish from fever due to bacterial infection. 

Hypersensitivity - Type 4

Very rare with beta-lactums.