Antimicrobials medication

Antimicrobial medication is administered following the same procedures as for any medication (see chapter 5). 

However, here are additional step to take when administering antimicrobial medication ... 

Ask the patient each time if the patient has allergies before administering antimicrobial medication. 

Have emergency medication such as epinephrine, Benadryl, and steroids on hand to counteract any adverse effect of the antimicrobial medication. 

Monitor the patient for a half hour after antimicrobial medication is given to determine an adverse reaction. 

Monitor the therapeutic effect of the antimicrobial medication to determine if the medication is effective. 

Be aware of the healthcare facility s policy on stop orders and renewal orders. Typically antimicrobial medication orders are for 72 hours. A stop order is automatically enforced after 72 hours, requiring the healthcare provider to reassess the patient before renewing the medication order. This is to assure that the pathogen does not become resistant to the antimicrobial medication. 

Aggressive treatment requires administering an antimicrobial medication intravenously (IV). The antimicrobial medication is diluted in a neutral solution (pH 7.0 to 7.2), such as normal saline (NS), isotonic sodium chloride, or 5% dextrose and water (D5W). Antimicrobial medication can be administered as a piggyback infusion. 

The patient should be informed that antimicrobial medication may expose the patient to ... 

Penicillin (PCN), discovered in 1940, is derived from molds and is the most effective and least toxic antimicrobial medication. Penicillin weakens the cell wall of a bacterium, rupturing and destroying the cell in a process called lysis. Penicillin is most active against gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria. Penicillin is not active against bacteria that contain enzymes that destroy penicillin. 

The immune system produces antibodies that seek out, attack, and kill micro-bials. However, this natural defense isn t sufficient for some patients leaving them with a mnny nose, headache, and fever. They need to call in the cavalry. The cavalry is medication that kills the invading microbial. You ll learn about antimicrobial medication in this chapter. 

You learned in this chapter that inflammation is not an infection although inflammation frequently occurs when a patient becomes infected with a microorganism. Inflammation occurs in response to tissue injury whether it is from an injury or an acute or chronic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. You ll learn about infection and fever and antimicrobial medication in the next chapter. 

Antimicrobial medication requires the nurse to follow the same general administration procedures that are required for any type of medication. The most critical step is to determine if the patient has allergies to drugs, food, environmental stimuM, and a family history of allergies to antibiotics. There is also a high incidence of cross sensitivity between some antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalasporins. Always display allergies in red and clearly write them on the patient s record. Even if the patient s record indicates that the patient doesn t have allergies, always ask the patient each time you administer the antimicrobial medication. 

Always have emergency medications such as epinephrine, Benadryl, and steroids handy so they can be given to counteract any adverse side effect of the antimicrobial medication. Be sure to carefully monitor the patient for a half hour after the medication is given to determine if the patient experiences an adverse reaction. 

Anti-infectives and antimicrobials are administered for eye infections such as conjunctivitis. These dmgs can cause local skin and eye irritation. You learned about anti-infective and antimicrobial medication in Chapter 12 and Chapter 13. 

Ristic, T., 2014. Antimicrobial Medical Textiles Based on Chitosan Nanoparticles for Gynaecological Treatment (Ph thesis). Maribor, University of Maribor. 

Krishnaveni, V., 2011. Development of herbal antimicrobial medicated products for skin diseases. Melhand Int. 4, 252-253. 

Owing to their compatibility with cationic biocides, amphoteric and amine oxide surfactants continue to be used widely in the development and formulation of disinfectants and sanitizers for personal care, household, industrial, and institutional markets. For instance, substituted imidazoline amphoteric surfactants, in combination with didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, have been found to display unexpected synergistic irritation reduction compared to formulas with alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides [57]. Also, imidazoline derivatives and betaines are known to impart moderate cleansing without causing skin roughness, stickiness, or irritating reactions with cationic disinfectants [58], Amphoteric surfactants are also suitable for use in antimicrobial medications requiring subcutaneous, cutaneous, or mucosal membrane administration [36]. 

---