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As a nursing student, pharmacology will help you understand how drug actions affect biological systems within the human body. This study guide has been designed to help nursing students master the commonly encountered and commonly tested topics associated with antibiotic use, and how you will use them to treat your patients. These include the high-yield concepts such antibiotic indications, mechanism of action, contraindications, routes of administration, side effects, nursing considerations, and more, giving you the exam prep boost you need to dominate your classes and the NCLEX®.
Antibiotics Overview
- Cell Wall Inhibitors
- Cell Wall Inhibitors
- Penicillins
- Cephalosporins
- Monobactams
- Carbapenems (Imipenem & Meropenem)
- Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
- Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
- Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
- Aminoglycosides
- Macrolides
- Clindamycin
- Tetracyclines
- Linezolid
- Chloramphenicol
- Other
- Fluoroquinolones
- Sulfonamides
4 mins
Penicillin
- Mechanism of Action
- Weakens Cell Wall
- Indications
- Gram-Positive Infections
- Prophylaxis
- Side Effects
- Pain at IM Injection Site
- Allergic Reaction
- Considerations
- Skin Tests
- Allergy ID
- Medication Education
2 mins
Ampicillin and Amoxicillin
- Mechanism
- Aminopenicillin
- Broad Spectrum Penicillin
- Indications
- Gram-Positive and Some Gram-Negative Infections
- Side Effects
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Considerations
- No Effect Against Staph Aureus
- Often combined with Beta Lactamase Inhibitor
- Allergic Reaction
2 mins
Aztreonam (Azactam)
- Mechanism
- Monobactam Antibiotic
- Bactericidal
- Indications
- Gram-Negative Infections
- No Activity on Gram-Positives or Anaerobes
- Side Effects
- Blood Dyscrasias
- Pain at Injection Site
- Considerations
- Safe for Penicillin Allergy
- Synergistic with Aminoglycosides
- Nebulizer Form Available
2 mins
Cephalosporins
- Starts with "Cef-"
- Mechanism of Action
- Bactericidal
- Indications
- Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Infections
- Side Effects
- Allergic Reactions
- Thrombophlebitis
- Bleeding
- Contraindications
- Renal Impairment
- Considerations
- Avoid IV Calcium with Ceftriaxone
- No Alcohol
2 mins
Imipenem and Meropenem (Carbapenems)
- Mechanism
- Carbapenems
- Broad-spectrum Antibiotic
- Bactericidal
- Indications
- Gram Positive and Gram Negative Infections
- Side Effects
- GI Distress
- Suprainfections
- Seizures
- Considerations
- Penicillin Allergy
- IV or IM Route
- Imipenem Combined with Cilastatin
3 mins
Macrolides
- End in "-thromycin"
- Mechanism of Action
- Bacteriostatic
- Indications
- Alternative for Penicillin Allergy
- Respiratory Infections
- Pneumonia
- Side Effects
- QT Prolongation and Sudden Death
- C.Diff Overgrowth
- GI Distress
- Considerations
- Slow IV Infusion
2 mins
Macrolides Side Effects
- Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Prolonged QT Interval
- P450 Inhibitor
- Cholestatic Hepatitis
- Skin Rash
- Eosinophilia
3 mins
Aminoglycoside Overview
- End in "-mycin"
- GNATS
- Gentamicin
- Neomycin
- Amikacin
- Tobramycin
- Streptomycin
- Mechanism of Action
- Bactericidal
- Indications
- Severe Gram Negative Infections
- Bowel Surgery Prep
1 min
Aminoglycoside Side Effects
- Side Effects
- Ototoxicity
- Nephrotoxicity
- Respiratory Paralysis
- Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Considerations
- Peak and Trough
- Never Mix with Penicillin in Same IV
2 mins
Neomycin Sulfate
- Mechanism
- Aminoglycoside Antibiotic
- Indications
- Topical Infection
- Intestinal Surgery Prophylaxis
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
- Side Effects
- Ototoxicity
- Nephrotoxicity
- Rash
- GI Superinfection
- Neuromuscular Blockade
- Contraindications
- Pregnancy
2 mins
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
- Mechanism
- Bacteriostatic
- Indications
- Gram Positive or Gram Negative Infections
- Side Effects
- Bone Marrow Suppression
- Aplastic Crisis
- Gray Syndrome
- Considerations
- Toxicity Limits Use
- Monitor Blood Counts
2 mins
Tetracyclines Overview
- End in "-cycline"
- Mechanism of Action
- Bacteriostatic
- Indications
- Infectious Diseases
- Acne
- Periodontal Disease
- Nursing Considerations
- Avoid Milk, Antacids, Iron
- Sunlight Protection
1 min
Tetracyclines Side Effects
- Side Effects
- Superinfection
- Clostridioides difficile
- Discoloration of Teeth
- Bone Deformities
- Photosensitivity
- Contraindications
- Children Under 8
- Pregnancy
1 min
Tetracycline Toxicities
- Inhibition of Bone Growth in Children
- Teratogen
- Discoloration of Teeth
- Photosensitivity
- GI Distress
2 mins
Tigecycline (Tygacil)
- Mechanism Of Action
- Glycylcycline Antibiotic
- Binds 30S Subunit
- Inhibits Protein Synthesis
- Indications
- Severe Infections
- Broad Spectrum Coverage
- Anaerobic & Multidrug-Resistant Organisms
- Deep Tissue Penetration
- Side Effects
- GI Distress
- Severe Nausea and Vomiting
- Considerations
- 2nd Line Agent
3 mins
Fluoroquinolones
- End in "-floxacin"
- Mechanism of Action
- Bactericidal
- Indications
- Variety of Infections
- Side Effects
- GI Distress
- Photosensitivity
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Children
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Considerations
- Avoid Milk Products or Antacids
- Slow IV Infusion
2 mins
Fluoroquinolones Toxicities
- Diarrhea
- Skin Rash
- Headache
- Tendon Rupture in Adults
- Myalgias in Kids
- Damage to Cartilage
- Teratogen
- QT Prolongation
1 min
Vancomycin Side Effects & Toxicity
- Side Effects
- Thrombophlebitis
- Nephrotoxicity
- Ototoxicity
- Diffuse Flushing Called Red Man Syndrome
- Prevent with Antihistamine
- Prevent with Slow Infusion
2 mins
Vancomycin
- Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits Bacterial Cell Wall Synthesis
- Indications
- Serious Gram-Positive Infections
- Side Effects
- Nephrotoxicity
- Ototoxicity
- Red Man Syndrome
- Thrombophlebitis
- Nursing Considerations
- Culture Samples First
- Infuse IV Over 60 Minutes
- Take Around the Clock
2 mins
Linezolid (Zyvox)
- Mechanism Of Action
- Oxazolidinone Antibiotic
- Binds 23S rRNA of 50S Subunit
- Inhibits Protein Synthesis
- Indication
- Gram-Positive Organisms
- MRSA
- VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci)
- Side Effects
- Bone Marrow Suppression
- Decreased Platelet Count
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Lactic Acidosis
- Serotonin Syndrome
- Considerations & Patient Education
- Avoid Tyramine Containing Foods
4 mins
Clindamycin
- Mechanism
- Bacteriostatic
- Binds 50S Ribosomal Subunit
- Indications
- Gram-Positive Infections
- Anaerobic Infections
- Side Effects
- Rash
- Pseudomembranous Colitis
- C. Difficile (Associated Diarrhea)
- Arrhythmias
- Blood Dyscrasias
- Considerations
- Monitor for Diarrhea
3 mins
Sulfonamides
- Mechanism of Action
- Bacteriostatic
- Indications
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Side Effects
- Crystalluria
- Photosensitivity
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Kernicterus
- Rash
- Considerations
- Sulfa Allergy
- Encourage Fluids
2 mins
Sulfonamides Side Effects
- Side Effects
- Hypersensitivity
- Nephrotoxicity
- Photosensitivity
- Kernicterus in Infants
- Displaces Warfarin from Albumin
- Considerations
- Hemolysis with G6PD Deficiency
3 mins
Silver Sulfadiazine (Silvadene) and Mafenide Acetate (Sulfamylon)
- Mechanism
- Topical Antimicrobial
- Indications
- Burns
- Open Wound Care
- Side Effects
- Mafenide
- Pain
- Acidosis
- Considerations
- Administer Analgesic Prior to Wound Care
1 min
Sulfa Drug Allergies
- Sulfasalazine
- Sulfonylureas
- Thiazide Diuretics
- Acetazolamide
- Furosemide Diuretic
- Celecoxib
- Probenecid
49 secs
Hydroxychloroquine
- Mechanism of Action
- Immunosuppressant
- Indications
- Malaria
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
- Side Effects
- Cardiotoxicity
- Retinopathy
- Considerations
- Ophthalmological Exams
3 mins
Trimethoprim
- Mechanism of Action
- Bacteriostatic
- Inhibits Bacterial Dihydrofolate Reductase
- Causes Sequential Block of Folate Synthesis
- Used in Combination with Sulfamethoxazole
- Combination Used For Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
- Indications
- Shigella
- Salmonella
- Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia
- Side Effects
- Decrease in Red and White Blood Cells
- Alleviated with Leucovorin Rescue
2 mins
Daptomycin (Cubicin)
- Mechanism Of Action
- Lipopeptide Antibiotic
- Disrupts Cell Membrane
- Causes Rapid Depolarization
- Indication
- Gram-Positive Cocci
- MRSA
- Side Effects
- Myopathy
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Considerations & Patient Education
- Inactivated by Surfactant
- Not Used (Avoid) for Pneumonia
3 mins
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