Screening antimicrobial prescriptions and prescribing considerations

Question 1

What are the antimicrobial prescribing considerations?

Answer 1

-Are antimicrobials indicated?
-What is the appropriate antimicrobial (or combination) for the infection?
-Which drug(s) can penetrate to infection site
-What is appropriate antimicrobial (or combination) for the specific patient?
-What is appropriate route?
-What is appropriate dose and frequency?
-What is the most appropriate course length?

Question 2

What does Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) mean?

Answer 2

Lowest concentration of an antimicrobial that
will inhibit the visible growth of a microorganism

Question 3

What does Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) mean?

Answer 3

Lowest concentration of antimicrobial that
will prevent the growth of an organism

Question 4

What does CRP mean?

Answer 4

C-reactive protein
diagnose conditions that cause inflammation

Question 5

What does ESR mean?

Answer 5

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) blood test that measures how quickly erythrocytes (red blood cells) settle at the bottom of a test tube that contains a blood sample. Normally, red blood cells settle relatively slowly. A faster-than-normal rate may indicate inflammation in the body

Question 6

If a patient is asymptomatic would you prescribe antibiotics?

Answer 6

increase risk of resistance

Question 7

Define antimicrobials

Answer 7

kill or slow the spread of microorganisms.

Question 8

Why aren’t aminoglycosides effective for CNS infections?

Answer 8

Because they don’t penetrate the CNS

Question 9

Why are tetracyclines like Doxycycline contra-indicated for use in children?

Answer 9

discolouration and deformity of growing bones and teeth

Question 10

What group of patients require antimicrobial prophylaxis?

Answer 10

-Surgical procedures
-Post- Splenectomy
-Bacterial meningitis
-TB
-Immunocompromised
-HIV Exposure
-Malaria
-Bite Wounds