Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
• Describe three common adverse reactions associated with the use of
... [Show More] anti-infectives.
• Describe therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, and most common adverse reactions, and important drug-drug interactions associated with each of the classes of antibiotics.
• Outline nursing considerations for patients receiving each class of antibiotic. ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
Drug List
• Bacitracin
• Chloramphenicol
• Meropenem
• Polymyxin B
• Vancomycin
DRUGS AND INFECTION
When infection attacks the body, anti-infective drugs can help turn the tide of battle.
Four types of anti-infective drug exist:
• Antibacterial
• Antiviral
• Antitubercular
• Antifungal
Selecting an appropriate anti-infective drug to treat a specific infection involves several important factors:
➢ The microorganisms must be isolated and identified-generally through growing a culture.
➢ Its susceptibility to various to drugs must be determined.
(culture and sensitivity results take 48 hours, treatment typically starts at assessment and is then reevaluated when test results are obtained.)
➢ location of the infection must be considered.
(for therapy to be effective, an adequate concentration of the anti-infective drug must be delivered to the infection site.)
➢ The cost of the drug as well as its potential adverse effects and the possibility of patient allergies must be considered.
PREVENTING PATHOGEN RESISTNACE
- The usefulness of anti-infective drugs is limited by the pathogens that may develop resistance to a drug’s action.
RESISTANCE
- is the ability of a microorganism to live and grow in the presence of an anti-infective drug.
- Usually results from genetic mutation of the microorganism.
THE RISE OF THE RESISTANCE MOVEMENT
➢ Indiscriminate use of anti-infective drugs has serious consequences.
➢ Unnecessary exposure of organisms to these drugs encourages the emergence of resistant strains.
➢ These resistant strains are likely to do far more damage than their predecessors.
Anti-infective drugs should be reserved for patients with infections caused by susceptible organisms and should be used in high enough doses and for an appropriate period.
New anti- infective drugs should be reserved for severely ill patients with serious infections that don’t respond to conventional drugs.
ANTIBIOTICS
Antibacterial Drugs
➢ also known as antibiotics, are drugs that either kill bacteria or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
➢ They’re mainly used to treat systemic (involving the whole body rather than a localized area) bacterial infections.
AMINOGLYCOSIDES
- Are bactericidal (they destroy bacteria)
amikacin gentamicin kanamycin neomycin streptomycin tobramycin [Show Less]