Docsity
Docsity
Prepare for your exams
Prepare for your exams

Study with the several resources on Docsity

Earn points to download
Earn points to download

Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan

Guidelines and tips
Guidelines and tips
Sell on Docsity
Sell on Docsity
Docsity AI
Docsity AI
Log inSign up

Prepare for your exams

Study with the several resources on Docsity

Find documents

Prepare for your exams with the study notes shared by other students like you on Docsity

Search for your university

Find the specific documents for your university's exams

Docsity AINEW

Summarize your documents, ask them questions, convert them into quizzes and concept maps

Explore questions

Clear up your doubts by reading the answers to questions asked by your fellow students

Earn points to download

Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan

Share documents
download point icon20 Points

For each uploaded document

Answer questions
download point icon5 Points

For each given answer (max 1 per day)

All the ways to get free points
Get points immediately

Choose a premium plan with all the points you need

Study Opportunities

Choose your next study program

Get in touch with the best universities in the world. Search through thousands of universities and official partners

Community

Ask the community

Ask the community for help and clear up your study doubts

Free resources

Our save-the-student-ebooks!

Download our free guides on studying techniques, anxiety management strategies, and thesis advice from Docsity tutors

Antimicrobial Drugs Study Guide: Classification, Antibiotics, and Spectrum, Exams of Pharmacology

Cambridge College of Healthcare & TechnologyPharmacology

This study guide provides a comprehensive overview of antimicrobial drugs, covering their classification by susceptible organism and mechanism of action. It lists the 10 classes of antibiotics with examples, explains beta-lactams, and differentiates between bacteriostatic and bactericidal inhibitors. The guide also details broad versus narrow spectrum agents, empiric treatment, and specific drugs like penicillins and cephalosporins, including their indications, contraindications, and patient care considerations. It is designed to help nursing students understand and apply key concepts in antimicrobial pharmacology, including patient education and alternative drug options for those with allergies. Useful for university students.

Typology: Exams

2025/2026

Available from 11/19/2025

NurseTheo
NurseTheo 🇺🇸

288 documents

1 / 66

Toggle sidebar

This page cannot be seen from the preview

Don't miss anything!

bg1
1 | P a g e
MIDTERM NR568 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AD
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025 |GRADED A+
- Things to know about each of the major antibiotic drug classes
Classification of Antimicrobial Drugs
• There are two main classification schemes
1. Classification by Susceptible Organism
Antibacterial Drugs
• Narrow Spectrum-Gram+ cocci/bacilli, Gram- aerobes, M. tuberculosis
• Broad Spectrum-Gram+ cocci and gram- bacilli
Antiviral Drugs
• Drugs for HIV infection
• Drugs for influenza
• Other antiviral drugs-acycolvir
Antifungal Drugs-amphotericin B; Azoles
2. Classification by Mechanism of Action
• Inhibitors of cell wall synthesis
• Drugs that disrupt the cell membrane
• Bactericidal inhibitors of protein synthesis
• Bacteriostatic inhibitors of protein synthesis
• Drugs that interfere with synthesis or integrity of bacterial DNA and RNA
• Antimetabolites
• Drugs that suppress viral replication
pf3
pf4
pf5
pf8
pf9
pfa
pfd
pfe
pff
pf12
pf13
pf14
pf15
pf16
pf17
pf18
pf19
pf1a
pf1b
pf1c
pf1d
pf1e
pf1f
pf20
pf21
pf22
pf23
pf24
pf25
pf26
pf27
pf28
pf29
pf2a
pf2b
pf2c
pf2d
pf2e
pf2f
pf30
pf31
pf32
pf33
pf34
pf35
pf36
pf37
pf38
pf39
pf3a
pf3b
pf3c
pf3d
pf3e
pf3f
pf40
pf41
pf42

Partial preview of the text

Download Antimicrobial Drugs Study Guide: Classification, Antibiotics, and Spectrum and more Exams Pharmacology in PDF only on Docsity!

MIDTERM NR568 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AD

CORRECT ANSWERS 202 5 |GRADED A+

  • Things to know about each of the major antibiotic drug classes Classification of Antimicrobial Drugs
  • There are two main classification schemes
  1. Classification by Susceptible Organism Antibacterial Drugs
  • Narrow Spectrum-Gram+ cocci/bacilli, Gram- aerobes, M. tuberculosis
  • Broad Spectrum-Gram+ cocci and gram- bacilli Antiviral Drugs
  • Drugs for HIV infection
  • Drugs for influenza
  • Other antiviral drugs-acycolvir Antifungal Drugs-amphotericin B; Azoles
  1. Classification by Mechanism of Action
  • Inhibitors of cell wall synthesis
  • Drugs that disrupt the cell membrane
  • Bactericidal inhibitors of protein synthesis
  • Bacteriostatic inhibitors of protein synthesis
  • Drugs that interfere with synthesis or integrity of bacterial DNA and RNA
  • Antimetabolites
  • Drugs that suppress viral replication

List the 10 classes of Antibiotics name examples HINT (acronym): Abx Can Terminate Protein Synthesis For Microbial Cells Like Germs ● Aminoglycosides-gentamicin, streptomycin ● Cephalosporins-Cephalexin (Keflex) ● Tetracyclines-tetra/doxyclycline ● Penicillins-PCN G/V, amoxicillin ● Sulfonamides-trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole ● Fluoroquinolones-ciprofloxacin ● Macrolides-erythromycin, Azithromycin ● Carbapenems-imipenem, meropenem ● Lincosamides-Clindamycin ● Glycopeptides-Vancomycin Other ways to organize classes of Drugs What is Beta Lactams?

  • they have a β-lactam ring in their structure, the penicillins are known as β-lactam antibiotic
  • The β-lactam family also includes the cephalosporins, carbapenems, and aztreonam
  • All of the β-lactam antibiotics share the same mechanism of action: disruption of the bacterial cell wall
  • they are bactericidal; bacteria must be actively growing for them to work

Broad spectrum vs narrow spectrum Broad-spectrum

  • Broad-spectrum penicillins: ampicillin and others
  • Extended-spectrum penicillins: piperacillin and others
  • Cephalosporins (third generation)
  • Tetracyclines: tetracycline and others
  • Carbapenems: imipenem and others
  • Trimethoprim
  • Sulfonamides: sulfisoxazole and others
  • Fluoroquinolones: ciprofloxacin and others narrow-spectrum
  • Penicillin G and V
  • Penicillinase-resistant penicillins: oxacillin and nafcillin
  • Vancomycin
  • Erythromycin
  • Clindamycin
  • Aminoglycosides: gentamicin and others
  • Cephalosporins (first and second generations)
  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampin
  • Ethambutol
  • Pyrazinamide
  • Understand broad spectrum vs narrow spectrum agents Broad-Spectrum:
  1. Targets wider number of bacteria types. Acts on both
  2. Commonly used against
  3. Commonly used for (blank) therapy; when the pathogen is unknown or
  4. A major con is disruption of Narrow-Spectrum:
  5. Effective against a specific
  6. Used when infecting pathogens Broad-Spectrum:
  7. gram- and gram + organisms
  8. H. influenzae, E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, enterococci, N. gonorrhoeae
  9. empiric; infection with multiple types of bacteria is suspected.
  10. native bacteria and the development of antimicrobial resistance Narrow-Spectrum:
  11. bacteria type
  12. is known

What types of infections are usually viral and do not warrant antibacterial agents? community-acquired, mostly viral, upper respiratory tract infections;

  • these infections are usually viral patients are exposed to all the risks of abx but have no chance of receiving benefits Penicillins-Examples
  1. Narrow-spectrum PCNs (penicillinase sensitive)
  2. Narrow-spectrum penicillins: (penicillinase-resistant)
  3. Broad-spectrum penicillins (aminopenicillins)
  4. Extended-Spectrum Penicillins (Antipseudomonal Penicillins)
  5. Penicillin G, Penicillin V
  6. Nafcillin, Oxacillin, Dicloxacillin
  7. Ampicillin, Amoxicillin
  8. piperacillin Indications for use of PCNs
  9. Penicillin G, Penicillin V (Narrow/PCN-ase S)
  10. Nafcillin, Oxacillin, Dicloxacillin (Narrow/PCN-ase R
  11. mpicillin, Amoxicillin (Broad)
  12. piperacillin (extended)
  1. streptococcal pharyngitis, N. Meningitis/gonorrhoeae; active against most gram +/- cocci and spirochetes-T. pallidum
  2. use for all PCN-ase R Staph infections ie: S. aureus and S. epidermidis, NOT MRSA
  3. Amoxicillin-1st line for ENT/Skin/UTIs ie: AOM and sinusitis, Amoxicillin + clavulanate first line for Severe AOM & animal/human bites, Ampicillin-1st line for infants with UTIs
  4. used mainly for P. aeruginosa; often combined with β-lactamase inhibitor (Zosyn), also used for H. influenzae, E. coli, enterococci, N. gonorrhoeae, MOA for PCNs
  • disruption of the bacterial cell wall
  • they are bactericidal; bacteria must be actively growing for them to work Contraindications and high-risk patients of PCNs
  1. What is the main contraindication in general?
  2. Penicillin G, Penicillin V
  3. Ampicillin, Amoxicillin (Broad)
  4. piperacillin (extended)
  5. PCN allergy- it can range from a minor rash to anaphylaxis; it can decrease over time but if severe should NOT be used; if no other alternative pts can undergo skin testing but this still carries a risk
  6. The next most common ADR is non-allergic rash; Probenecid (antigout med) prolongs the half-life of PCNs and increases risk for toxicity
  7. rash and diarrhea are most common
  8. can cause bleeding by disrupting plt function

Older adults

  • Doses should be adjusted in older adults with Infants
  • bacterial infections, including syphilis, meningitis, and group A streptococcus. Children/adolescents
  • bacterial infections in children. Pregnant women
  • evidence we do have suggests there is no second or third trimester fetal risk. Breastfeeding women
  • Amoxicillin; Data are lacking regarding transmission of some other penicillins from mother to infant through breast milk. Older adults
  • renal dysfunction. Patient Education-in general
    1. Finishing the Prescribed Course It is imperative that antibiotics not be discontinued prematurely. Early discontinuation is a common cause of recurrent infection, and the organisms responsible for relapse are likely to be more drug resistant than those present when treatment began

Alternative drugs to patients with a history of penicillin allergy

  • If the allergy is mild, a cephalosporin is often an appropriate alternative
  • For many infections, vancomycin, erythromycin, and clindamycin are effective and safe alternatives Contraindications and high-risk patients Cephalosporins
  1. the Main risk with cephalosporins is
  2. Cephalosporins have been reported with type I allergic reactions
  3. Contraindicated for
  4. Caution is needed if these drugs are combined with other bleeding agents
  5. C. difficile infection
  6. serum sickness-like reactions, and other skin rashes, arthralgia, and fever
  7. pts with severe PCN allergy or Ceph allergy
  8. (anticoags, NSAIDS, thrombolytic) they can interfere with Vit K

Monitoring needs for Cephalosporins

  1. In patients with renal insufficiency,
  2. Baseline Data: Take samples Patient Education
  3. Instruct patients to report increase in
  4. cefazolin-1st gen and cefotetan—2nd gen; can induce a state of alcohol intolerance
  5. dosages of most cephalosporins must be reduced
  6. for culture to determine the identity and sensitivity Patient Education
  7. stool frequency; All cephalosporins can promote C. difficile infection.
  8. the disulfiram effect can be very dangerous pts taking these drgs should avoid alcohol

Lifespan considerations for Cephalosporins

  • see notecard 28 Indications for use Carbapenems
  1. imipenem is the most effective beta-lactam
  2. Mechanism of Action
  3. for anaerobic bacteria & serious infections caused by gram-pos/neg cocci, gram- neg bacilli (broad spect)
  4. Imipenem binds to two PBPs, causing weakening of the bacterial cell wall; resistant to all beta-lactamases Contraindications and high-risk patients Carbapenems
  5. Imipenem can reduce blood levels of

Children/adolescents

  • Cephalosporins are commonly used to treat Pregnant women
  • (blank) carries a black box warning Breastfeeding women
  • (blank) are generally not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Older adults
  • Doses should be adjusted in older adults with Infants
  • treat bacterial infections in neonates as well as infants. Children/adolescents
  • bacterial infections in children, including otitis media and gonococcal and pneumococcal infections. Pregnant women
  • Televancin (Glycopeptide); secondary to risk for adverse developmental outcomes. All cephalosporins appear safe for use in pregnancy. Breastfeeding women
  • Cephalosporins Older adults
  • decreased renal function. Other Inhibitors of Cell Wall Synthesis Aztreonam Indications for use Vancomycin-Glycopeptide
  1. Principal indications are
  2. MOA
  3. indications for using Telavancin (Glycopeptide)
  1. Monitoring: Vancomycin (blank) should be monitored during IV administration.
  2. Take samples for culture to determine the identity and sensitivity of the infecting organism.
  3. drug levels Indications for use Tetracyclines
  4. broad-spectrum abx with a variety of uses
  5. rickettsial diseases,
  6. Chlamydia trachomatis infections, (3) brucellosis; (4) cholera; (5) pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae; (6) Lyme disease; (7) anthrax; (8) gastric infection with H. pylori
  7. severe acne vulgaris MOA for Tetracyclines tetracyclines suppress bacterial growth by inhibiting protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit and thereby interfering with the messenger RNA– ribosome complex.

Contraindications and high-risk patients for Tetracyclines

  1. Tetracyclines bind to calcium in developing teeth,
  2. Hepatotoxicity-Tetracyclines can cause fatty infiltration of
  3. Renal Toxicity-tetracycline and demeclocycline are
  4. Drug and Food Interactions
  5. causing staining of teeth of the infant; Discoloration of permanent teeth occurs when taken by children aged 4 months to 8 years; avoid in children <8 yrs
  6. the liver; highest risk-Pregnant and postpartum
  7. contraindicated in pts with renal impairment; doxycycline or minocycline are safe with renal impairment as they're eliminated by liver
  8. Can bind with certain metal ions (calcium, iron, magnesium, aluminum, zinc) found in milk products, calcium/iron supplements, magnesium-containing laxatives, and most antacids resulting in decreased absorption