Medications (know the action, why given, key SE, data needed to give the drug)

Antibiotics:

● Penicillin:

○ Action: Penicillin kills bacteria by interfering with the ability to synthesize cell wall

which leads to the cell wall rupturing

○ Why given: antimicrobial used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial

infection

○ Key SE: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, itching, and black

"hairy" tongue

○ Data needed: infection present, high temperature

○ Other: Do not use if pt. is allergic to other forms of penicillin or cephalosporins

● Cephalosporins

○ Action: block the bacteria from making a cell wall (

○ Why given: antimicrobial used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial

infection

○ Key SE: stomach discomfort, N&V, diarrhea, Thrush, yeast infection or other

fungal infection

● Aminoglycosides (ex. Gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin,streptomycin, neomycin)

○ Action: inhibits protein synthesis

○ Why given: used when other less toxic antibiotics are contraindicated or

ineffective

○ Key SE: ear damage (ringing, buzzing, or feeling of fullness), kidney damage,

increased thirst, skin rash or itchiness

● Sulfonamides

○ Action: Bacteriostatic - they inhibit the growth of bacteria but do not kill them

○ Why given: Usually used to treat UTIs

○ Key SE: Steven Johnson’s Syndrome, dizziness, skin rash, fever, sore throat,

cough, shortness of breath

○ Data: do not use if pregnant

Anticoagulants:

● Heparin

○ Action: inactivates thrombin and activated factor X (factor Xa) through an

antithrombin (AT)-dependent mechanism

○ Why given: Heparin is used to treat and prevent blood clots in the veins, arteries,

or lung. It is also used before surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots

○ Key SE: N&V, unusual bleeding, sweating, hives, trouble breathing

○ Data: You should not use this medication if you have uncontrolled bleeding or a

severe lack of platelets in your blood.

■ The heparin dose is changed so that the PTT or APTT result is about 1.5

to 2.5 times the normal value

■ Normal clotting: 25-35 sec. Heparin clotting: 60-80 sec*