Chapter 5 Antibiotics / Antibacterial Drugs
Here are organized pharmacology flashcards from the information you provided. I focused on high-yield nursing exam and NCLEX facts so they are easier to memorize.
Penicillins Flashcards
Flashcard 1
Q: What is the classification of penicillins?
A: Beta-lactam antibiotics and bactericidal drugs.
Flashcard 2
Q: How do penicillins work?
A: They inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by blocking peptidoglycan formation.
Flashcard 3
Q: What is the result of penicillin’s mechanism of action?
A: The bacterial cell wall weakens and the bacteria rupture and die.
Flashcard 4
Q: What infections are commonly treated with penicillins?
A:
• Streptococcal infections
• Pneumonia
• Otitis media
• Urinary tract infections
• Skin infections
• Syphilis
Flashcard 5
Q: What is the most serious adverse reaction to penicillin?
A: Anaphylaxis.
Flashcard 6
Q: What symptoms indicate anaphylaxis?
A:
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face or throat
• Severe hypotension
Flashcard 7
Q: What superinfections may occur with penicillins?
A:
• Clostridioides difficile infection
• Yeast infections
Flashcard 8
Q: What important drug interaction occurs with oral contraceptives?
A: Penicillins may reduce birth control effectiveness.
Flashcard 9
Q: What should the nurse assess before giving penicillin?
A: History of penicillin allergy.
Flashcard 10
Q: What is the NCLEX tip for penicillin administration?
A: Always check for penicillin allergy first.
Cephalosporins Flashcards
Flashcard 11
Q: What is the classification of cephalosporins?
A: Beta-lactam antibiotics and bactericidal drugs.
Flashcard 12
Q: How do cephalosporins work?
A: They inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Flashcard 13
Q: What infections do cephalosporins treat?
A:
• Respiratory infections
• UTIs
• Skin infections
• Pneumonia
• Sepsis
• Meningitis
Flashcard 14
Q: What important allergy concept exists with cephalosporins?
A: Cross-sensitivity with penicillins.
Flashcard 15
Q: What serious allergic reaction may occur with cephalosporins?
A: Anaphylaxis.
Flashcard 16
Q: What reaction may occur if alcohol is taken with certain cephalosporins?
A: Disulfiram-like reaction.
Flashcard 17
Q: What symptoms occur in a disulfiram reaction?
A:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Flushing
• Headache
Flashcard 18
Q: What infection may occur as a superinfection with cephalosporins?
A: Clostridioides difficile infection.
Flashcard 19
Q: What must the nurse check before giving cephalosporins?
A: History of penicillin allergy.
Flashcard 20
Q: What is the NCLEX tip for cephalosporins?
A: Always check for penicillin allergy due to cross-reactivity.
Vancomycin Flashcards
Flashcard 21
Q: What is the classification of vancomycin?
A: Glycopeptide antibiotic.
Flashcard 22
Q: How does vancomycin work?
A: It inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Flashcard 23
Q: What resistant infection is vancomycin commonly used for?
A: MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
Flashcard 24
Q: What serious reaction occurs if vancomycin is infused too quickly?
A: Red Man Syndrome.
Flashcard 25
Q: What symptoms occur in Red Man Syndrome?
A:
• Flushing
• Rash
• Itching
• Hypotension
Flashcard 26
Q: How can Red Man Syndrome be prevented?
A: Infuse vancomycin slowly over at least 60 minutes.
Flashcard 27
Q: What two major toxicities occur with vancomycin?
A:
• Nephrotoxicity
• Ototoxicity
Flashcard 28
Q: What lab value should be monitored with vancomycin?
A: Vancomycin trough levels.
Flashcard 29
Q: What symptoms suggest ototoxicity?
A:
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
Flashcard 30
Q: What is the NCLEX tip for vancomycin?
A: Red Man Syndrome occurs when infused too quickly.
Carbapenems Flashcards
Flashcard 31
Q: What is the classification of carbapenems?
A: Beta-lactam broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Flashcard 32
Q: How do carbapenems work?
A: They inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Flashcard 33
Q: What infections do carbapenems treat?
A:
• Sepsis
• Pneumonia
• Complicated UTIs
• Meningitis
• Intra-abdominal infections
Flashcard 34
Q: Why are carbapenems considered “last-line antibiotics”?
A: They are used for severe or resistant infections.
Flashcard 35
Q: What serious neurological adverse effect may occur?
A: Seizures.
Flashcard 36
Q: Which carbapenem has the highest seizure risk?
A: Imipenem.
Flashcard 37
Q: What superinfection may occur with carbapenems?
A: Clostridioides difficile infection.
Flashcard 38
Q: What allergy concern exists with carbapenems?
A: Cross-sensitivity with penicillins.
Flashcard 39
Q: What drug interaction occurs with valproic acid?
A: Carbapenems decrease valproic acid effectiveness.
Flashcard 40
Q: What is the NCLEX tip for carbapenems?
A: Seizures are a key adverse effect, especially with imipenem.
Tetracyclines Flashcards
Flashcard 41
Q: What is the classification of tetracyclines?
A: Broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotics.
Flashcard 42
Q: How do tetracyclines work?
A: They inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosome.
Flashcard 43
Q: What infections are treated with tetracyclines?
A:
• Acne
• Chlamydia
• Lyme disease
• Respiratory infections
Flashcard 44
Q: Why are tetracyclines contraindicated in pregnancy?
A: They cause tooth discoloration and bone growth problems.
Flashcard 45
Q: Why should tetracyclines not be given to children under 8 years?
A: They cause permanent tooth discoloration.
Flashcard 46
Q: What common side effect occurs with tetracyclines?
A: Photosensitivity.
Flashcard 47
Q: What substances decrease tetracycline absorption?
A:
• Dairy products
• Antacids
• Iron supplements
Flashcard 48
Q: How should tetracycline be taken to prevent esophageal irritation?
A: With a full glass of water and remain upright for 30 minutes.
Flashcard 49
Q: What superinfection may occur with tetracyclines?
A: Clostridioides difficile infection.
Flashcard 50
Q: What is the NCLEX tip for tetracyclines?
A: Avoid dairy products and do not give to children under 8 years.