Infection

Drug Therapy Options

  • Broad Spectrum Antibiotics: Effective against a wide range of bacteria

  • Empiric Therapy: Treatment initiated before identification of the causative organism

  • Combination Therapy: Use of two or more antibiotics simultaneously

Nursing Considerations

  • Hand hygiene; isolation precautions when needed

  • Verify allergies before administration

  • Instruct patients to complete antibiotic courses

Culture and Sensitivity

  • Culture: Identifies the microorganism

  • Sensitivity: Determines antibiotic susceptibility

  • Blood cultures are essential before starting antibiotic treatment

Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

  • Classes: Penicillins, Cephalosporins

  • Action: Inhibit cell wall synthesis, bactericidal

Penicillins

  • Adverse Effects: Hypersensitivity, renal impairment, CNS toxicity

  • Nursing Implications: Monitor kidney function, complete course

Cephalosporins

  • Adverse Effects: Similar to penicillins, risk of cross-sensitivity

  • Use: Surgical prophylaxis

Aminoglycosides

  • Prototype: Gentamicin

  • Action: Inhibits protein synthesis

  • Adverse Effects: Nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, require monitoring

Fluoroquinolones

  • Prototype: Ciprofloxacin

  • Adverse Effects: Tendonitis, QT prolongation

Tetracyclines

  • Prototype: Tetracycline

  • Use: Treats Lyme disease, acne

  • Adverse Effects: Hypersensitivity, GI upset, superinfections

Sulfonamides

  • Prototype: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

  • Action: Inhibits folic acid synthesis

  • Adverse Effects: Aplastic anemia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Urinary Antiseptics

  • Example: Nitrofurantoin

  • Adverse Effects: Toxicities, EKG changes

Macrolides

  • Prototype: Erythromycin

  • Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxicity, possible drug interactions

Vancomycin

  • Action: Inhibits cell wall synthesis, used for MRSA

  • Adverse Effects: Nephrotoxicity, Red Man Syndrome

Fungal Infections

  • Overview: Range from mild to life-threatening, e.g., candidiasis

  • Drugs: Polyenes (Amphotericin B), Azoles (Fluconazole)

Viral Infections

  • Overview: Intracellular parasites causing varied infections

  • Medications: Antivirals like Acyclovir

  • Use: Viral infections like herpes, with minimal adverse effects