Antibiotics Cheat Sheet cheat sheet pharmacology on nursing
Gram +: (examples of bacteria that are Gram +)
Gram -: (examples of bacteria that are Gram -)
Class Name Example drugs Indications Side effects Interactions Nursing Considerations
Penicillin G: Upper Nausea, Vomiting, Decreases effectiveness Allergies/anaphylaxis
respiratory diarrhea, abdominal pain, of oral contraceptives Monitor for signs and
infections, dysphagia, rash, pruritus, When penicillin is mixed symptoms of super
pneumococcal stomatitis, glossitis, with an aminoglycoside infection
pneumonia, dysgeusia, tongue and in Iv solution, the actions Educate
streptococcal tooth discoloration, of both drugs are Assess for bleeding if high
infection. headache, dizziness, inactivated doses are being given
Penicillin V: Otis anxiety, confusion, Potassium supplements
media edema, insomnia, can increase serum
Amoxicillin: Lower crystalluria, dermatitis potassium levels when
Penicillin G/V,
respiratory taken with potassium
amoxicillin, ampicillin,
infections, sinusitis, penicillin G or V
Penicillins piperacillin-tazobactam
Urinary tract
infections
Suffix: -cillin
Ampicillin:
meningitis,
endocarditis,
septicemia
Piperacillin-
tazobactam: severe
intraabdominal,
skin, UTIs, and
respiratory
infections.
Beta-lactams Meropenem, Septicemia UTI Headache nausea May decrease Known allergy to
aztreonam bacterial infections vomiting diarrhea effectiveness of oral cephalosporins and
in general gram anemia eosinophilia contraceptives, bea-lacams.
positive gram neutropenia rash; potassium supplements Cross-reactions are
negative severe anaphylaxis can increase serum common.
S.pneumoniae, angioedema seizures potassium levels when Hepatic or renal
H.influenzae, C diff taken with penicillin G impairment. These
E.coli, or V. When mixed with drugs are toxic to
K.pneumoniae, aminoglycoside in IV the kidneys and
, B.fragilis, solution both drugs are could interfere with
P.mirabilis, inactivated. the metabolism and
P.aeruginosa, and excretion of the
P.bivia. drugs.
Pregnancy and
lactation. Potential
effects on the fetus
and infant are not
known; use only if
benefits clearly
outweigh the
potential risk of toxicity to
the fetus
or infant.
Pharyngitis, tonsilitis Anaphylaxis, Alcohol, may cause Allergy for cephlosporins
otitis media superinfection disulfiram like reaction and penicillins
Respiratory skin Headache, dizziness (flushing dizziness Labs for renal and liver
intraabdominal bone Dysgeusia, GI distress headache nausea vomiting funcition
joint biliary urinary Increased bleeding and muscular cramps) Patient problems tissues
Cephalexin, cefaclor,
and genital Seizures Uricosurics decrease injuries nausea and
cefdinir (PO),
infections Nephrotoxocity cephlosporin excretion vomiting
ceftriaxone, cefexime
Cephalosporins Clostridium Difficile Cefotetan may increase WBCs within normal limits
(IV)
associated diarrhea effects of aminoglycosides, Signs of superinfection
salicylates, and warfarin Complete whole course of
Prefix: cef/ceph-
treatment
Observe for
hypersensitivity
Take with food if gastric
irritation occurs.
Gram +: (examples of bacteria that are Gram +)
Gram -: (examples of bacteria that are Gram -)
Class Name Example drugs Indications Side effects Interactions Nursing Considerations
Penicillin G: Upper Nausea, Vomiting, Decreases effectiveness Allergies/anaphylaxis
respiratory diarrhea, abdominal pain, of oral contraceptives Monitor for signs and
infections, dysphagia, rash, pruritus, When penicillin is mixed symptoms of super
pneumococcal stomatitis, glossitis, with an aminoglycoside infection
pneumonia, dysgeusia, tongue and in Iv solution, the actions Educate
streptococcal tooth discoloration, of both drugs are Assess for bleeding if high
infection. headache, dizziness, inactivated doses are being given
Penicillin V: Otis anxiety, confusion, Potassium supplements
media edema, insomnia, can increase serum
Amoxicillin: Lower crystalluria, dermatitis potassium levels when
Penicillin G/V,
respiratory taken with potassium
amoxicillin, ampicillin,
infections, sinusitis, penicillin G or V
Penicillins piperacillin-tazobactam
Urinary tract
infections
Suffix: -cillin
Ampicillin:
meningitis,
endocarditis,
septicemia
Piperacillin-
tazobactam: severe
intraabdominal,
skin, UTIs, and
respiratory
infections.
Beta-lactams Meropenem, Septicemia UTI Headache nausea May decrease Known allergy to
aztreonam bacterial infections vomiting diarrhea effectiveness of oral cephalosporins and
in general gram anemia eosinophilia contraceptives, bea-lacams.
positive gram neutropenia rash; potassium supplements Cross-reactions are
negative severe anaphylaxis can increase serum common.
S.pneumoniae, angioedema seizures potassium levels when Hepatic or renal
H.influenzae, C diff taken with penicillin G impairment. These
E.coli, or V. When mixed with drugs are toxic to
K.pneumoniae, aminoglycoside in IV the kidneys and
, B.fragilis, solution both drugs are could interfere with
P.mirabilis, inactivated. the metabolism and
P.aeruginosa, and excretion of the
P.bivia. drugs.
Pregnancy and
lactation. Potential
effects on the fetus
and infant are not
known; use only if
benefits clearly
outweigh the
potential risk of toxicity to
the fetus
or infant.
Pharyngitis, tonsilitis Anaphylaxis, Alcohol, may cause Allergy for cephlosporins
otitis media superinfection disulfiram like reaction and penicillins
Respiratory skin Headache, dizziness (flushing dizziness Labs for renal and liver
intraabdominal bone Dysgeusia, GI distress headache nausea vomiting funcition
joint biliary urinary Increased bleeding and muscular cramps) Patient problems tissues
Cephalexin, cefaclor,
and genital Seizures Uricosurics decrease injuries nausea and
cefdinir (PO),
infections Nephrotoxocity cephlosporin excretion vomiting
ceftriaxone, cefexime
Cephalosporins Clostridium Difficile Cefotetan may increase WBCs within normal limits
(IV)
associated diarrhea effects of aminoglycosides, Signs of superinfection
salicylates, and warfarin Complete whole course of
Prefix: cef/ceph-
treatment
Observe for
hypersensitivity
Take with food if gastric
irritation occurs.
