SimpleNursing Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Speaker: Nurse Mike
• Platform: SimpleNursing.com
• Purpose: Promotion of a new NCLEX app with practice questions and video rationales.

Antibiotics Overview

• Focus: Spectrum antibiotics - 'cillins' and 'spore ins'
• Mechanism: Weaken/destroy bacterial cell wall causing lysis or death.

Types of Antibiotics

• Penicillins: End in -cillin

  • Examples: Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Piperacillin/Tazobactam
  • Safety: Pregnancy and breastfeeding safe
  • Note: Can cause accidental pregnancy by affecting oral contraceptives.

• Cephalosporins: Start with 'ceph-'

  • Examples: Cephalexin (Keflex), Cefazolin, Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
  • Safety: Pregnancy and breastfeeding safe
  • Note: Can cause C. diff

Key Differences & Considerations

• Oral Contraceptives: Ineffective with penicillins. Use additional contraception (e.g., IUD).
• C. diff and Cephs: Cephs can cause C. diff but do not treat it.
• Cross Sensitivity: Allergy potential between penicillins and cephalosporins.
  • Always check for allergies before administration.
  • They cannot be mixed; allergy to one often means allergy to the other.

Exam Tips

• Anaphylaxis: More common with penicillin.
  • Key Actions: Stop medication, assess reaction, auscultate lungs, prepare epinephrine.
  • Assessment First: Before intervention, calling doctor, or pharmacy.

Administration Guidelines

• Penicillins: Take with food if GI upset occurs.
  • Shake well before use.
  • Use proper measuring devices (not household spoons).

Common Side Effects

• Cephalosporins: Diarrhea
• Penicillins: Risk of bleeding
  • Monitor platelet count.

Conclusion

• Access Resources: Full video and quiz bank available for trial.
• Acknowledgments: Thanks to the team of experts.
• Call to Action: Subscribe to YouTube channel for more content.