RASMUSSEN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2
CERTIFICATION PREPARATION GUIDE.
◉ Tetracyclines: Clinical Indications.
Answer: Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms, protozoa,
Mycoplasma, Rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever), Chlamydia,
syphilis, Lyme disease, and SIADH (specifically Demeclocycline).
◉ Tetracyclines: Side & Adverse Effects.
Answer: Photosensitivity (severe sunburn risk), gastrointestinal
upset, and reduced drug absorption if bound to minerals.
◉ Tetracyclines: Patient Education & Dietary Rules.
Answer: Avoid dairy products, antacids, and iron supplements
because they form insoluble complexes that severely reduce
absorption. Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds.
◉ Sulfonamides (e.g., SMX-TMP): Mechanism of Action.
Answer: Bacteriostatic; acts as an antimetabolite to disrupt critical
folic acid synthesis metabolic pathways inside the bacterial cell.
◉ Sulfonamides (e.g., SMX-TMP): Clinical Indications.
,Answer: Broad-spectrum coverage for UTIs (caused by E. coli,
Klebsiella, Proteus, Staph), respiratory tract infections, and
opportunistic infections in HIV patients.
◉ Sulfonamides (e.g., SMX-TMP): Severe Side & Adverse Effects.
Answer: Hematologic: Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia,
thrombocytopenia. Integumentary: Photosensitivity, Stevens-
Johnson syndrome, epidermal necrolysis. Renal: Crystalluria, toxic
nephrosis.
◉ Sulfonamides (e.g., SMX-TMP): Nursing Management & Lab Values.
Answer: Monitor CBC for bone marrow suppression and renal
function (BUN, creatinine). Force fluids to 2,000-3,000 mL/day to
prevent crystalluria. Take oral doses with food or milk.
◉ Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin): Mechanism of Action.
Answer: Potent bactericidal antibiotic; binds to ribosomes to
permanently alter protein synthesis, causing bacterial cell death.
Poor oral absorption (must be given parenterally for systemic
effects).
◉ Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin): Clinical Indications &
Pediatrics.
Answer: Serious systemic Gram-negative infections (Pseudomonas,
E. coli, Klebsiella). Neomycin is used orally/rectally for pre-op bowel
, decontamination and hepatic encephalopathy. Used in pediatrics for
severe pneumonia, meningitis, and UTIs.
◉ Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin): Severe Toxicities (Adverse
Effects).
Answer: Ototoxicity: Eighth cranial nerve damage causing tinnitus,
hearing loss, dizziness, and vestibular balance impairment.
Nephrotoxicity: Renal failure presenting as urinary casts,
proteinuria, and elevated BUN/creatinine.
◉ Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin): Nursing Management & Lab
Values.
Answer: Mandatory monitoring of therapeutic peak and trough
blood levels. Assess baseline and serial renal function labs (BUN,
serum creatinine) and check urine for casts or protein.
◉ Urinary-Specific Anti-Infectives (Nitrofurantoin, Fosfomycin,
Trimethoprim): Focus.
Answer: Act locally within the urinary tract to destroy bacteria.
Contraindicated in severe renal dysfunction (prevents drug
concentration in urine and increases systemic toxicity risk),
pregnancy, and lactation.
◉ Phenazopyridine: Mechanism & Patient Education.
CERTIFICATION PREPARATION GUIDE.
◉ Tetracyclines: Clinical Indications.
Answer: Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms, protozoa,
Mycoplasma, Rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever), Chlamydia,
syphilis, Lyme disease, and SIADH (specifically Demeclocycline).
◉ Tetracyclines: Side & Adverse Effects.
Answer: Photosensitivity (severe sunburn risk), gastrointestinal
upset, and reduced drug absorption if bound to minerals.
◉ Tetracyclines: Patient Education & Dietary Rules.
Answer: Avoid dairy products, antacids, and iron supplements
because they form insoluble complexes that severely reduce
absorption. Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds.
◉ Sulfonamides (e.g., SMX-TMP): Mechanism of Action.
Answer: Bacteriostatic; acts as an antimetabolite to disrupt critical
folic acid synthesis metabolic pathways inside the bacterial cell.
◉ Sulfonamides (e.g., SMX-TMP): Clinical Indications.
,Answer: Broad-spectrum coverage for UTIs (caused by E. coli,
Klebsiella, Proteus, Staph), respiratory tract infections, and
opportunistic infections in HIV patients.
◉ Sulfonamides (e.g., SMX-TMP): Severe Side & Adverse Effects.
Answer: Hematologic: Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia,
thrombocytopenia. Integumentary: Photosensitivity, Stevens-
Johnson syndrome, epidermal necrolysis. Renal: Crystalluria, toxic
nephrosis.
◉ Sulfonamides (e.g., SMX-TMP): Nursing Management & Lab Values.
Answer: Monitor CBC for bone marrow suppression and renal
function (BUN, creatinine). Force fluids to 2,000-3,000 mL/day to
prevent crystalluria. Take oral doses with food or milk.
◉ Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin): Mechanism of Action.
Answer: Potent bactericidal antibiotic; binds to ribosomes to
permanently alter protein synthesis, causing bacterial cell death.
Poor oral absorption (must be given parenterally for systemic
effects).
◉ Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin): Clinical Indications &
Pediatrics.
Answer: Serious systemic Gram-negative infections (Pseudomonas,
E. coli, Klebsiella). Neomycin is used orally/rectally for pre-op bowel
, decontamination and hepatic encephalopathy. Used in pediatrics for
severe pneumonia, meningitis, and UTIs.
◉ Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin): Severe Toxicities (Adverse
Effects).
Answer: Ototoxicity: Eighth cranial nerve damage causing tinnitus,
hearing loss, dizziness, and vestibular balance impairment.
Nephrotoxicity: Renal failure presenting as urinary casts,
proteinuria, and elevated BUN/creatinine.
◉ Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin): Nursing Management & Lab
Values.
Answer: Mandatory monitoring of therapeutic peak and trough
blood levels. Assess baseline and serial renal function labs (BUN,
serum creatinine) and check urine for casts or protein.
◉ Urinary-Specific Anti-Infectives (Nitrofurantoin, Fosfomycin,
Trimethoprim): Focus.
Answer: Act locally within the urinary tract to destroy bacteria.
Contraindicated in severe renal dysfunction (prevents drug
concentration in urine and increases systemic toxicity risk),
pregnancy, and lactation.
◉ Phenazopyridine: Mechanism & Patient Education.
