Pharmacology for the AGACNP
Questions and Answers
Common infections in the Geriatrics - answerMRSA- (uncommon from animals)
Assess body systems function level prior to prescribing ABX therapy - answer(i.e. renal
function).
Antifungals metabolize through the - answerLiver
▪An antibiogram is: - answeroverall profile of antimicrobial susceptibility testing results of
a specific microorganism to a battery of antimicrobial drugs
Cultures and sensitivity tell you - answerTells you:
-Identifies bacteria/fungus present
-Sensitivity results based on data
Cultures and sensitivity DONT tell you: - answer-Infection vs. colonization vs.
contamination
-You would not treat colonization or contamination
-Which ABX to use.
MIC (Minimum inhibitory concentration) - answermin. concentration of an ABX needed
to inhibit proliferation & is important for definitive TX.
Cultures and sensitivity reports start with: - answerStart w/ beta-lactam if possible,
especially in severe infections (best data supporting their use)
-Exception: atypical infections
▪You are reviewing a report on a urine culture of a 55 year old female with
pyelonephritis. A culture was done which has revealed growth of Ecoli Susceptibility
testing show minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) score of 1 for Ciprofloxacin 2 for
Levafloxacin 4 for Ceftriaxone and 16 for Nitrofurantoin. Considering the MIC score the
most appropriate antibiotic to prescribe would be ciprofloxacin. - answerChose lower
MIC score
Fluroquinolones (ex: ciprofloxacin) are most associated with causing: -
answerpseudomembranous colitis.
S/S of pseudomembranous colitis - answerrecent ABX use followed by diarrhea with
possible blood
,To prevent further development of ABX resistance, it is recommended that
fluoroquinolones be reserved for treatment of: - answerCAP with comorbidities.
If your patient is allergic to sulfonamides, they most likely will have a cross-sensitivity to:
- answerloop diuretics, sulfonylureas, & thiazide diuretics.
If you patient cannot reliably take PO ABX, ___ or ___ would be an appropriate
treatment option. - answerIM or IV
Prebiotics are recommended to be co-administered with: - answerABX
Rx half-life is longer in: - answerolder adults (watch for atypical reactions)
Monitor liver enzymes when on __ tx. - answerlong term antifungal tx
Patients taking isoniazid for TB may experience peripheral neuropathy. To prevent,
prescribe: - answerpyridoxine (vit B6).
Because microbiological results do not become available for 24 to 72 hours, initial
therapy for infection is often _____ and guided by the clinical presentation. -
answerempiric
empiric is broad-spectrum & treats: ____
Once C&S is received, a more narrowed focused ABX can be prescribed. -
answergram-positive and gram-negative, diverse fungi, or parasites
How soon should newly diagnosed HIV patients should start antiviral treatment? -
answeras soon as the positive diagnosis is given
Initiation of ARV can prevent complications of AIDS-related diseases, such as: -
answerPCP pneumonia. (pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia)
When a Herpes Simplex 2 Dx is suspected ___ is the Rx of choice. - answerAcyclovir
You are evaluating a patient in the ER who is complaining of pain to his right leg that
developed yesterday. The pain has become increasingly worse in the last few hours to
the point that the patient's wife called EMS to the house to transport him to your ER. His
wife tells you he has not been acting right over the last few hours and seems "out of it.".
You, the AGACNP suspect an infection and order labs/cx/start abx. While initiating
therapy the patient becomes hypotensive and is given a fluid bolus. You preform an in-
depth exam on this patient and notice crepitus on the patient's right thigh. You admitted
him to your ICU and write orders to initiate broad spectrum antibiotics for this patient.
The best antimicrobial combination to begin on this patient is _______ - answerDoribax
(for nec fasc)
, Twenty-year-old Annie comes to the clinic complaining of copious yellow-green eye
discharge. Gram stain indicates she most likely has gonococcal conjunctivitis. While
awaiting the culture results, the plan of care should be: - answerIM ceftriaxone
Although MRSA is uncommon in animal bites, ABX Tx is needing in cat bites due to
their oral flora. Initial cat bite treatment would be: - answerA thorough cleansing and
debridement, Xray, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid/7-day regimine.
Pharmacokinetics is: - answerThe branch of pharmacology concerned with the
movement of drugs within the body.
UTI in the geriatric population most commonly caused by: - answerE. coli most common
cause (80-86%)
UTI in the geriatric population complicated by: - answermale gender, immunodeficiency,
and comorbidities
Tx UTI in the geriatric population with: - answer-Bactrim DS
-Macrobid
-Cipro if allergic to PCN and sulfonamides
For UTI in the geriatric population, rule out: - answerR/O Sepsis, meningitis, stroke,
hypoglycemia...
UTI may lead to urosepsis. Caution with aminoglycosides (ex: gentamicinin) in ______
patients. - answeracute renal failure (aminoglycosides can cause AKI)
BPH incident increases with age: - answer- 60yo 50%
- 80yo 88%
Some medications mimic symptoms of BPH: - answerUTI, over-hydration, caffeine,
diuretics
For UTI in older males order: - answerOrder urinalysis, PSA, renal studies (could be
prostate or renal obstruction)
Dehydration can cause: - answerTachycardia, thirst, hyper-lab values
Over-hydration can cause: - answerCrackles, elevated BP, dilute/low lab values
loop diuretics are associated with low __ & __ electrolyte levels - answerlow Na+/low K+
Diuril (Thiazide diuretic) is a __ & __ blocker. - answerNa+ & Cl-
If using diuretics, know ___ level to see how well diuretic may work. - answerBUN