Chapter 29: Penicillins and Cephalosporins

What are some examples of Gram Positive bacteria?

Staphs

What are some examples of Gram Negative bacteria?

E.coli and Meningitis

The cell wall in bacteria differs by what?

Structure

What does bacteriostatic mean?

Inhibits the growth of bacteria

What does bactericidal mean?

Kills the bacteria

What are some examples of bacteriostatic drugs?

Tetracycline and sulfa drugs

What are some examples of bactericidal drugs?

Penicillins and cephalosporins

When do people need to be given antibacterials?

-Infection
-Before dental work if they have a pacemaker
-Before a surgical procedure
-Blood infection
-Dressing change (to prevent more growth from coming in)

What are the body defenses against bacteria?

-Skin
-Age
-Nutrition
-White blood cells
-Organ function

What are the two types of resistance to antibiotics?

-Natural/inherited (naturally has resistance)
-Acquired (repeat exposure has caused resistance)

Additive effect

Effect is doubled - helps to kill the bacteria

Potentiative effect

One potentiates effect of other (One is stronger and then one is not as strong)

Antagonistic effect

If one bactericidal and one bacteriostatic, desired effect is diminished (this is why a lot of time antibiotics are not given together)

What is cross resistance?

Can occur between antibactrial drugs that have similar actions (penicilin and cephalosporins)

What are the general adverse reactions to antibacterials?

Mild allergic reaction (rash and hives)

What are the more severe general adverse reactions to antibacterials?

-Anaphylactic shock
--Laryngeal edema (throat swelling up), cardiac arrest, bronchospasms
-Organ toxicity
--Liver, kidney, and ear

WHat is the treatment for adverse reactions to antibacterials?

-Epinephrine
-Anti-histamine
-Bronchodilator

What is a superinfection?

Normal flora on the skin is killed; secondary infection (double infection); sites where this usually occur is the mouth, skin, respiratory tract, vagina, and the intestines

What does a superinfection typically occur?

When someone is treated for more than one with an antibiotic

What is a narrow spectrum antibacterial?

Primarily effective against one bacteria type (either Gram - or Gram -)

What are some examples of narrow spectrum antibacterials?

Erythromycin and Penicillin

What is a broad spectrum antibacterial?

Effective against gram + and gram -

What are some examples of a broad spectrum antibacterial?

Tetracycline and cephalosporins

Why would a nurse practitioner give a broad spectrum rather than a narrow spectrum antibacterial?

If you don't know which organism is in there so you give the broad spectrum to get rid of both of them

What is the structure of Penicillins?

Beta-lactam ring

Basic penicillins are introduced to kill what?

Gram bacteria and staphs

Penicillins inhibit what?

Bacterial cell wall synthesis

What are some examples of Penicillins?

Penicillins G and V

What organsisms do broad-spectrum penicillins kill?

1. Influenza
2. E.coli
3. Salmonella

Are broad spectrum penicillins bactericidal or bacteriostatic?

Bactericidal

Broad spectrum penicillins are also known as what?

Aminopenicillins

What are some examples of aminopenicillins (broad spectrum penicillins)?

-Amoxicillin
-Ampocillin

What do penicillinase-resistant penicillins fight against?

Most gram positive

Are Penicillinase-resistant penicillins bactericidal or bacteriostatic?

Bactericidal

What are Penicillinase-resistant penicillins also known as?

Antistaphylococcal penicillins

What is an example of antistaphylococcal penicillins?

Dicloxacillin (Dynapen)

What do extended-spectrum penicillins fight against?

Gram negative

What do Extended-spectrum penicillins treat?

Bone infection, skin infection, respiratory tract infection, UTI

Are Extended-spectrum penicillins bactericidal or bacteriostatic?

Bactericidal

What are Extended-spectrum penicillins also called?

Antipseudomonal penicillins

What are some examples of Antipseudomonal penicillins?

1. piperacillin (Pipracil)
2. ticarcillin (Ticar)
3. carbenicillin (Geopen)

Why are beta-lactamase inhibitors not given alone?

-Because they are not going to do anything (they are not as potent so they need to be given with another antibiotic so they can be stronger)
--Combined with penicillinase-sensitive penicillin

What are some examples of Beta-lactamase inhibtors?

-Clavulanic acid
-Sulbactam
-Tazobactam

What do Beta-lactamase inhibitors do?

Inhibits bacterial beta-lactamase enzyme

How is amoxicillin usually given?

Orally

What are some examples of amoxicillin?

-Piperacillin-tazabactam (Zosyn)
-Ticarcillin-clavulanate (Timentin)
-Ampicillin-sulbactam (Unasyn)

What are some nursing interventions for Penicillins?

-Check for allergies
-Use a back up birth control method
-Monitor for bleeding
-Culture and sensitivity
-Increase fluids
-Check for superinfection (looking in their mouth)
-Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals (foods can mess with the effects)

What do Cephalosporins inhibit?

Bacterial cell-wall synthesis

Are Cephalosporins bactericidal or bacteriostatic?

Bactericidal

What do Cephalosporins treat?

-Respiratory infections
-Urinary infections
-Skin infections
-Genital infections

What are some examples of each generation of cephalosporins?

-First-generation
--Cephalexin (Keflex), cefazolin (Kefzol)
-Second-generation
--Cefaclor (Ceclor), cefoxitin (Mefoxin)
-Third-generation
--Cefoperazone (Cefobid), ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
-Fourth-generation
--Cefepime (Maxipime)

Generations of Cephalosporins?

-First-generation
--Gram + bacteria: E. coli, Klebsiella
-Second-generation
--Gram + and -: Neisseria gonorrhorae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis
-Third-generation
--Gram + and -: Psuedomonas aeruginosa
-Fourth-generation
--Gram + and -: S

How are Cephalosprins given (pharmacokinetics)?

Orally, IV or IM

What are the side effects/ adverse effects of Cephalosporins?

-GI distress
-Weakness
-Increased bleeding
-Seizures

What are the drug interactions of Cephalosproins?

Drinking alcohol can cause dizziness, flushing, nausea and vomiting, headache

What are the nursing interventions for Cephalosporins?

-Assess for allergy
-Renal and liver function test
-Monitor for superinfection
-Keep these out of reach of children