1. The goal of antibiotic therapy is?

The goal of antibiotic therapy is to reduce the population of invading bacteria to a

size that the human immune response can deal with.
2. Aminoglycosides
inhibit protein synthesis in susceptible strains of gram-negative bacteria.
- These drugs are reserved for use in serious infections because of potentially
serious adverse effects.
- Monitor for ototoxicity, renal toxicity, GI disturbances, bone marrow depression,
and superinfections.
3. antibiotic:
chemical that is able to inhibit the growth of specific bacteria or cause the death
of susceptible bacteria
4. gram-negative:
bacteria that accept a negative stain and are
frequently associated with infections of the genitourinary or
GI tract
5. aerobic:
bacteria that depend on oxygen for survival
6. anaerobic:
anaerobic: bacteria that survive without oxygen, which are
often seen when blood flow is cut off to an area of the body
7. gram-positive:
bacteria that take a positive stain and are frequently associated with infections of
the respiratory tract and soft tissues
8. synergistic:
drugs that work together to increase drug effectiveness
9. How is Bacteria Classified?
Bacteria can be classified as gram-positive (frequently found in respiratory
infections) or gram-negative (frequently found in GI and GU infections). They can
also be classified as anaerobic (not needing oxygen) or aerobic (dependent on
oxygen).
10. Why is Culture and Sensivity Testing the test of choice for antibiotic therapy?
Culture and sensitivity testing ensures that the correct antibiotic is chosen for
each infection, a practice that may help to decrease the number of emerging
resistant-strain bacteria.
11. Carbapenems
used to treat serious infections caused by a wide range of bacteria.
Note: Monitor for GI effects, serious diarrhea, dizziness, and superinfections.
12. Cephalosporins
a large group of antibiotics, similar to penicillin, that are effective against a wide
range of bacteria.
Note: Monitor for GI upsets and diarrhea,
pseudomembranous colitis, headache, dizziness, and superinfections.
13. Fluoroquinolones
inhibit the action of DNA enzymes in susceptible gram-negative bacteria. They
are used to treat a wide range of infections.
- Note: Monitor the patient for headache, dizziness, GI upsets, and bone marrow
depression, and caution the patient about the risk of photosensitivity reactions.
14. Penicillins
 The penicillins are one of the oldest classes of antibiotics, and many resistant
strains have developed. The penicillinase-resistant antibiotics were created to
combat bacteria that produce an enzyme to destroy the penicillin.
- Penicillins are used to treat a broad spectrum of infections, including respiratory
tract infections and UTIs.
- Note: Monitor the patient on penicillin for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
superinfections, and the possibility of hypersensitivity reactions.

15. Sulfonamides
older drugs; many strains have developed resistance to the sulfonamides, so
they are no longer widely used.
- Note: Monitor the patient for CNS toxicity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, liver
injury, renal toxicity, and bone marrow depression.
16. Tetracyclines
inhibit protein synthesis and prevent bacteria from multiplying.
Tetracyclines can cause damage to developing teeth and bones and should not
be used with pregnant women or children.
- Note: Monitor the patient for GI effects, bone marrow depression, rash, and
superinfections. Caution women that tetracyclines may make oral contraceptives
ineffective.
17. What is Mycobacteria?
The mycobacteria have an outer coat of mycolic acid that protects them from
many disinfectants and allows them to survive for long periods in the
environment. These
slow-growing bacteria may need to be treated for several years before they can
be eradicated. They cause tuberculosis and leprosy.
18. Antituberculosis Drugs
are used in combination to increase effectiveness and decrease the emergence
of resistant strains.
- These drugs are divided into first-line and second-line drugs.
- Adverse effects include rashes, an orange tint to body fluids, and GI reactions.
19. Dapsone
the only antibiotic now used to treat leprosy. Thalidomide recently was
reintroduced to treat an unusual reaction many patients develop after being on
dapsone.
20. Ketolides
block protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria, leading to cell death.
- Telithromycin is the only ketolide currently available. It is used to treat
community acquired pneumonia.
- Note: Monitor the patient for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and CNS effects,
including dizziness and headache.
21. Lincosamides
similar to macrolides but are more toxic.
- They are used to treat severe infections.
- Monitor the patient for pseudomembranous colitis, bone marrow depression,
pain, and CNS effects.
22. Macrolides
- Macrolides are in a class of older antibiotics that can be bactericidal or bacteriostatic.
- They are used to treat URIs and UTIs, and are often used when patients are allergic to
penicillin. Monitor the patient for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and other CNS
effects.
- The monobactam antibiotic aztreonam is effective against only gram-negative
enterobacteria; it is safely used when patients are allergic to penicillin or
cephalosporins.
- Note: Monitor the patient taking aztreonam for GI problems, liver toxicity, and pain at
the injection site.
23. How do Antibiotics work?
Antibiotics work by disrupting protein or enzyme systems within a bacterium,
causing cell death (bactericidal) or preventing multiplication (bacteriostatic).
The proteins or enzyme systems affected by antibiotics are more likely to be
found or used in bacteria than in human cells.
24. What is the primary purpose of antibiotics?
The primary therapeutic use of each antibiotic is determined by the bacterial
species that are sensitive to that drug, the clinical condition of the patient
receiving the drug, and the benefit-to-risk ratio for the patient. The longer an
antibiotic has been available, the more likely it is that mutant bacterial strains
resistant to the mechanisms of antibiotic activity will have developed.
25. What is the most common adverse affect of antibiotics?
The most common adverse effects of antibiotic therapy involve the GI tract
(nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain) and superinfections
(invasion of the body
by normally occurring microorganisms that are usually kept in check by the
normal flora).
26. What is important patient teaching regarding anitbiotic therapy?
To prevent or contain the growing threat of drug-resistant strains of bacteria, it is
very important to use antibiotics cautiously, to complete the full course of an
antibiotic prescription, and to avoid saving antibiotics for self-medication in the
future.
- A patient and family teaching program should address these issues, as well as
the proper dosing procedure for the drug (even if the patient feels better) and the
importance of keeping a record of any reactions to antibiotics.
27. A bacteriostatic substance is one that
a. directly kills any bacteria it comes in contact with.
b. directly kills any bacteria that are sensitive to the substance.
c. prevents the growth of any bacteria.
d. prevents the growth of specific bacteria that are
sensitive to the substance.
28. Gram-negative bacteria
a. are mostly found in the respiratory tract.
b. are mostly associated with soft tissue infections.
c. are mostly found in the GI and GU tracts.
d. accept a positive stain when tested.
29. Antibiotics that are used together to increase their effectiveness and limit the
associated adverse effects are said to be
a. broad spectrum.
b. synergistic.
c. bactericidal.
d. anaerobic.
30. An aminoglycoside antibiotic might be the drug of choice in treating
a. serious infections caused by susceptible strains of gram-negative bacteria.
b. otitis media in an infant.
c. cystitis in a woman who is 4 months pregnant.
d. suspected pneumonia before the culture results are available.
31. Which of the following is not a caution for the use of
cephalosporins?
a. Allergy to penicillin
b. Renal failure
c. Allergy to aspirin
d. Concurrent treatment with aminoglycosides
32. The fluoroquinolones
a. are found freely in nature.
b. are associated with severe adverse reactions.
c. are widely used to treat gram-positive infections.
d. are broad-spectrum antibiotics with few associated adverse effects.
33. Cipro, a widely used antibiotic, is an example of
a. a penicillin.
b. a fluoroquinolone.
c. an aminoglycoside.
d. a macrolide antibiotic.
34. A patient receiving a fluoroquinolone should be cautioned to anticipate
a. increased salivation.
b. constipation.
c. photosensitivity.
d. cough.
35. The goal of antibiotic therapy is
a. to eradicate all bacteria from the system.
b. to suppress resistant strains of bacteria.
c. to reduce the number of invading bacteria so that
the immune system can deal with the infection.
d. to stop the drug as soon as the patient feels better.
36. The penicillins
a. are bacteriostatic.
b. are bactericidal, interfering with bacteria cell walls.
c. are effective only if given intravenously.
d. do not produce cross-sensitivity within their class.
37. A young woman is found to have a soft tissue infection that is most responsive to
tetracycline. Your teaching plan for this woman should include which of the following
points?
a. Tetracycline can cause gray baby syndrome.
b. Do not use this drug if you are pregnant because it can cause tooth and bone
defects in the fetus.
c. Tetracycline can cause severe acne.
d. You should use a second form of contraception if
you are using oral contraceptives because tetracycline can make them
ineffective.
e. This drug should be taken in the middle of a meal to decrease GI upset.
f. You may experience a vaginal yeast infection as a
result of this drug therapy.
38. In general, all patients receiving antibiotics should receive teaching that includes
which of the following points?
a. The need to complete the full course of drug therapy
b. The possibility of oral contraceptive failure
c. When to take the drug related to food and other drugs
d. The need for assessment of blood tests
e. Advisability of saving any leftover medication for
future use
f. How to detect superinfections and what to do if they occur