You Will Be Pre-Assigned As A Team To One Of The Following

You Will Be Pre Assigned As A Team To One Of The Following Units

You will be pre-assigned as a team to one of the following units: Unit Six: Mental and Behavioral Health Drugs; Unit Seven: Pain and Inflammation Management Drugs; Unit Eight: Antimicrobial Drugs; Unit Nine - Immunologic Drugs; Unit Ten: Antineoplastics and Biologic Response Modifiers. This is a 4-week activity. You will stay in your team for each of the weeks that follow. Prepare a 15-minute summary presentation for class to include the following: Summary of the unit/classification, a minimum of three types of drugs or supplements, typical routes of administration, common side effects and adverse effects, special considerations, and common nursing interventions.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The pharmaceutical management of various health conditions is categorized into distinct units, each focusing on specific drug classes designed to address particular physiological or pathological processes. The assigned unit, whether it pertains to mental health, pain, antimicrobials, immunologic agents, or chemotherapy drugs, guides clinical understanding and nursing interventions. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive summary of one such unit, highlighting drug classifications, common medications, routes of administration, side effects, special considerations, and nursing responsibilities.

Selected Unit: Unit Eight – Antimicrobial Drugs

For illustrative purposes, the following discussion centers on Unit Eight: Antimicrobial Drugs, which constitutes a vital segment in infectious disease management. Antimicrobials are agents that inhibit or destroy microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Their appropriate use is critical in combating infectious diseases, preventing resistance, and improving patient outcomes.

Overview of the Module

The antimicrobial unit encompasses various classes of drugs used to treat a wide array of infections. These drugs function through mechanisms like inhibiting cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, or disrupting the cell membrane. Three primary types of antimicrobials include antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungal agents.

Types of Drugs or Supplements

1. Penicillins (e.g., Penicillin G, Amoxicillin): These are among the earliest antibiotics, targeting bacterial cell wall synthesis. They are used for infections like streptococcal pharyngitis and syphilis.

2. Macrolides (e.g., Azithromycin, Clarithromycin): Effective against respiratory tract infections; they inhibit bacterial protein synthesis.

3. Azoles (e.g., Fluconazole): These antifungal agents are used for fungal infections; they inhibit ergosterol synthesis, essential for fungal cell membranes.

Routes of Administration

Antimicrobials may be administered via:

- Oral (pills, suspensions): convenient for outpatient therapy (e.g., Amoxicillin, Azithromycin).

- Intravenous (IV): used in severe infections or when oral administration is not feasible (e.g., Vancomycin).

- Topical: for localized skin infections (e.g., Clotrimazole cream).

- Intramuscular: occasionally for certain drugs like penicillin.

Common Side Effects and Adverse Effects

- Gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, diarrhea): Common with many antibiotics.

- Allergic reactions, including rash and anaphylaxis, especially with penicillins.

- Superinfection: Overgrowth of resistant bacteria or fungi (e.g., C. difficile-associated diarrhea).

- Hepatotoxicity: Liver damage in some drugs, such as certain azoles.

- QT prolongation: Heart rhythm disturbances seen with macrolides.

Special Considerations

- Antibiotic resistance: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to resistant strains.

- Drug interactions: Some antimicrobials can interact with other medications, such as warfarin (e.g., macrolides).

- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Certain antimicrobials are contraindicated or require caution.

- Allergy history: Critical to avoid anaphylactic reactions.

Common Nursing Interventions

- Assessment: Monitor for signs of adverse reactions, allergic responses, and therapeutic effectiveness.

- Patient education: Emphasize the importance of completing prescribed courses, adherence, and avoiding self-medication.

- Monitoring labs: Liver and renal function tests for drugs with potential hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity.

- Managing side effects: Providing antiparasitic measures for superinfections or gastrointestinal discomfort.

- Infection control: Ensuring proper hygiene and isolation precautions when necessary.

Conclusion

Antimicrobial drugs play an indispensable role in infectious disease treatment. Understanding their classifications, administration routes, side effects, considerations, and nursing interventions ensures safe and effective patient care. Proper stewardship and observation are fundamental to combating resistance and optimizing therapeutic outcomes.

References

1. Kumar, S., Roberts, D., Wood, K. E., et al. (2006). Duration of hypotension before initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy is the critical determinant of survival in human septic shock. Critical Care Medicine, 34(6), 1589-1596.
2. Liu, C., Bayer, A., Cosgrove, S. E., et al. (2011). Clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in adults and children. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 52(3), e18-e55.
3. Patel, R., & Nachamkin, I. (2011). Antibiotic resistance among gram-negative bacteria. Infections in Medicine
4. Bush, K., & Bradford, P. A. (2016). Beta-Lactams and Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 6(8), a025247.
5. Gajdács, M., & Urbán, E. (2020). Antibiotic stewardship programs: what is their impact? Journal of International Medical Research, 48(4), 300060520927278.
6. O’Neill, J. (2016). Tackling drug-resistant infections globally: Final report and recommendations. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance.
7. Sakek, A., & Redzepagic, A. (2019). Management of Antimicrobial Therapy in Clinical Practice. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
8. Dinesh, M., & Bhat, K. (2017). Antifungal agents: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research.
9. Peters, J., & Edson, C. (2015). Pharmacology for Nursing Care. Elsevier Health Sciences.
10. CDC. (2022). Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.