Free book is here at https://www.memorizingpharm.com/books
In this episode we return to turning the open educational nursing resource for nursing pharmacology into audio, we'll start with the 1st edition antimicrobials then move on to the new second edition with the next topic.
Antimicrobials are drugs designed to kill or inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These medications are vital in the treatment of infections, and they work based on the principle of selective toxicity—targeting the harmful organism without damaging the host's cells.
Antimicrobials are classified into two main types:
The effectiveness of antimicrobials relies on proper dosing and duration of therapy. Incorrect use, such as taking doses that are too low or stopping the medication prematurely, can lead to antimicrobial resistance. This resistance occurs when microbes evolve mechanisms to survive the antimicrobial action, making infections harder to treat. Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern, requiring careful prescription and use of these drugs.
Additionally, different classes of antimicrobials have varying mechanisms of action, such as disrupting the cell wall, interfering with protein synthesis, or inhibiting essential metabolic processes within the microorganism.
Answer: C) Kill microorganisms
Answer: A) The ability of a drug to harm only the pathogen, not the host
Answer: C) Completing the full course of prescribed antibiotics
Answer: B) By inhibiting bacterial growth and allowing the immune system to act
Answer: B) Enhancing the microorganism's metabolic processes