3.1 Antimicrobials Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Identify the classifications and actions of antimicrobial medications
- Give examples of when, how, and to whom antimicrobial medications may be administered
- Identify the side effects and special considerations associated with antimicrobial therapy
- Identify considerations and implications of using antimicrobial medications across the life span
- Apply evidence-based concepts when using the nursing process
- Identify and interpret related laboratory tests
- Identify nursing responsibilities associated with health teaching and health promotion
Now that we have discussed the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the legal, ethical, and cultural issues a nurse must consider when administering medications, let’s apply these concepts as we discuss antimicrobial therapy.
Have you ever been prescribed an antibiotic for an infection and asked, “Why do I have to finish taking all these pills when I already feel better?” Perhaps you have wondered why the health care provider chose a certain medication to treat an infection, or why the pharmacist advised you to avoid certain foods when taking a certain antibiotic.
Nurses must understand how antimicrobials work in the body, be aware of common side effects and adverse effects, and apply the nursing process when administering antimicrobials to clients across the life span. Nurses also provide vital health education to clients regarding how to take the medication at home, watch for potential symptoms to report to their provider, and complete their antibiotic treatment as prescribed to prevent antibiotic resistance. This chapter will discuss these concepts and provide application examples as each type of antimicrobial medication class is reviewed.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the use of antimicrobial agents dates back to ancient times? Although the discovery of antimicrobials and their subsequent widespread use are commonly associated with modern medicine, there is evidence that humans have been exposed to antimicrobial compounds for millennia. Chemical analyses of the skeletal remains of people living near the Nile River between 350 and 550 AD have shown residue of the antimicrobial agent tetracycline in high enough quantities to suggest the purposeful fermentation of tetracycline-producing streptomyces during the beer-making process. The resulting beer, which was thick and gruel-like, was used to treat a variety of ailments in both adults and children, including gum disease and wounds.
Additionally, the antimicrobial properties of plants and honey have been recognized by various cultures around the world, including Indian and Chinese herbalists who have long used plants for a wide variety of medical purposes. Healers of many cultures understood the antimicrobial properties of fungi, and their use of moldy bread or other mold-containing products to treat wounds has been well-documented for centuries.[1]
- This work is a derivative of Microbiology by OpenStax and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵
