Questions and CORRECT Answers
What do S, I, and R mean on a C&S? - CORRECT ANSWER s: susceptible, i:
intermediate, r: resistant
How does a patient develop a superinfection? - CORRECT ANSWER sometimes an
antibiotic can't tell who is good and who is bad; if the antibiotic kills the host flora, pathogens
have room to grow freely
What are signs and symptoms of a superinfection? - CORRECT ANSWER diarrhea,
bladder pain, painful urination, abnormal vaginal discharge
What are two examples of a superinfection? - CORRECT ANSWER clostridium albicans
(yeast infection) and clostridium difficile
How do penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems work? - CORRECT ANSWER beta-
lactam ring lyses growing bacterial cells that are building cell wells
What can occur that works against penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems? - CORRECT
ANSWER bacteria learns to secrete beta lactamase which breaks up the beta-lactam ring
Do penicillins work better against gram positive or gram negative bacteria? - CORRECT
ANSWER gram positive; Penicillin=Positive
Should penicillins be given more or less frequently? - CORRECT ANSWER More
because they have short half-lives
Which drugs are in the penicillin class? - CORRECT ANSWER penicillin, amoxicillin,
ampicillin, piperacillin, ticarcillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin
,Which drugs are broad-spectrum penicillins? - CORRECT ANSWER aminopenicillins:
amoxicillin and ampicillin
Which drugs are penicillinase-resistant penicillins? - CORRECT
ANSWER antistaphylococcal: dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin; Di-N-O
What is nursing 101 for penicillins? - CORRECT ANSWER C&S tests before treatment;
monitor for hypersensitivity reactions; evaluate renal, hepatic, and hematologic function at
regular intervals
Why were aminopenicillins developed? - CORRECT ANSWER they provide some
activity against gram negative bacteria in addition to gram positive bacteria
What is special about amoxicillin-clavulanate? - CORRECT ANSWER clavulanate is a
beta-lactamase inhibitor
What are penicillinase-resistant penicillins mostly used to treat? - CORRECT
ANSWER staphylococcus infections
Do you receive more or less coverage from cephalosporins as you move from the first generation
to the fifth generation? - CORRECT ANSWER more coverage; 5th is most broad
spectrum
What are the most common adverse effects of cephalosporins? - CORRECT
ANSWER allergy, rash, GI complaints
What drugs belong to the cephalosporin class? - CORRECT ANSWER cefadroxil,
cefazolin, cephalexin, cefalor, cefotetan, cefoxitin, cefprozil, cefuroxime, cefdinir, cefditoren,
cefixime, cefotaxime, cefpodoxime, ceftazidime, ceftibuten, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, cefepime,
ceftaroline
, What is the nursing 101 for cephalosporins? - CORRECT ANSWER monitor for the first
30 min of IV therapy, obtain and assess C&S, monitor intake and output, monitor for
superinfection, report bleeding, assess IV sites during infusion, report diarrhea
Which beta-lactam ring drug is resistant to beta-lactamase? - CORRECT
ANSWER carbapenems
Which beta-lactam ring drug is the most broad spectrum? - CORRECT
ANSWER carbapenems
What drugs belong to the carbapenem class? - CORRECT ANSWER doripenem,
ertapenem, imipenem-cilastatin, meropenem
What is a possible side effect of carbapenems? - CORRECT ANSWER seizures
What is nursing 101 for carbapenems? - CORRECT ANSWER monitor for
hypersensitivity; report focal tremors/seizures; assess for superinfections; promptly report severe
diarrhea with fever; decrease the rate of IV infusion if nausea is present
Which drug's potential adverse effect is red man syndrome and how does it occur? - CORRECT
ANSWER vancomycin; occurs when drug is given too fast
What adverse effects can result from vancomycin? - CORRECT ANSWER red man
syndrome, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity
What is nursing 101 for vancomycin? - CORRECT ANSWER monitor BP and heart rate
during IV administration, infusion should last at least 60min, monitor for red man syndrome,
monitor urinalysis, monitor renal and hepatic function, assess baseline of hearing, monitor fluid
balance, report changes in input and output ratio, note oliguria or cloudy or pink urine
What is IV vancomycin used for? - CORRECT ANSWER pneumonia, meningitis,
cellulitis