Introductory Concepts
QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses are found everywhere in our environment and resistant strains keep developing all the time. Anti-infective drugs have existed since the middle 1900s and new drugs in this group are continually being introduced. This chapter presents fundamental information that applies to the entire anti-infectives group.
GENERAL CLIENT TEACHING FOR ANTI-INFECTIVES
Take around the clock at evenly spaced time intervals to maintain blood levels.
All doses must be taken so infection will not recur and resistant organisms will not develop.
Most oral agents should be taken on an empty stomach as food decreases absorption.
All doses must be taken so infection will not recur and resistant organisms will not develop.
TERMINOLOGYThere are several terms associated with the anti-infectives with which one should be familiar. Anti-infectives include antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral medications. Antibacterial and antibiotic typically mean a medication that treats a bacterial infection. A broad spectrum antibiotic is effective against many strains of microorganisms, and a narrow spectrum antibiotic is effective against only a few strains. If an antibiotic is bactericidal, it can kill microorganisms. An antibiotic that is bacteriostatic inhibits the growth of microorganisms without actually killing them.
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