Upgrade to remove ads
Only $35.99/year

Pharm: Penicillins and Cephalosporins

Terms in this set (66)

Bacteria (Prokaryotes)
Single-celled organisms lacking a true nucleus and nuclear membrane.
Classifications of bacteria based on their shape
(1) Bacilli--rod-shaped
(2) Cocci--spherical
(3) Staphylococci--clustered
(4) Streptococci--chains
Classifications of bacteria based on their cell-wall permeability
(1) Gram-positive (thin)
(2) Gram-negative (thicker)
Beta-lactamase
The enzyme that many bacteria produce that destroys beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins.
Antibacterials
inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacteria
Bacteriostatic
drugs that inhibit the growth of bacteria
Bactericidal
drugs that kill backteria
Five mechanisms of antibacterial action
(1) inhibition of bacterial cell-wall synthesis
(2) alteration of membrane permeability
(3) inhibition of protein synthesis
(4) inhibition of the synthesis of bacterial ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
(5) interference with metabolism within the cell
Factors that influence the body's ability to fight infection
(1) age
(2) nutrition
(3) immunoglobulins
(4) white blood cells (WBCs)
(5) organ function
(6) circulation
What population has less resistance to infection?
Older adults and undernourished individuals
Inherent resistance
Occurs without previous exposure to the antibacterial drug.

Example: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is inherently resistant to penicillin G.
Acquired resistance
Repeated exposures have caused this organism to evolve and become resistance to the antibiotic.

Example: MRSA, VREF, and VRSA
Developing a ________ ________ is another way to combat bacteria and lessen the need for antibiotics.
bacterial vaccine
What is one of the main reasons that antibiotic resistance has increased?
Antibiotic misuse

Examples: (1) antibiotics are taken unnecessarily, or (2) taken incorrectly
Cross-resistance
Occur between antibacterial drugs that have similar actions, such as penicillins and cephalosporins.
Sets with similar terms