Infection Types and Transmission
An infection acquired in a community setting, rather than a hospital.
Community-Acquired Infection
This virus, transmitted by droplets, causes high fever, body aches, and cough.
Influenza
The normal range for a total White Blood Cell (WBC) count is 4,500 to this many.
11,000/mm³
A patient taking this drug for a C. diff infection should be warned not to consume alcohol to avoid a disulfiram-like reaction.
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
This urinary analgesic is not an antibiotic but is used for pain relief from UTIs and famously turns urine reddish-orange.
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
This type of infection occurs when a person's normal flora becomes pathogenic due to an impaired immune system.
Opportunistic Infection
This bacterium is part of the normal flora on the skin and in the upper respiratory tract and is often colonized in the nares.
Staphylococcus aureus
A "shift to the left" on a WBC differential indicates an increase in this type of immature cell, signaling an acute infection.
Bands
This class of antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, carries a black box warning for tendonitis and Achilles tendon rupture.
Fluoroquinolones
A key nursing consideration for the UTI medication nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) is to increase fluid intake to prevent this adverse effect.
Crystal formation (crystalluria)
This link in the chain of infection includes people, equipment, and water.
Reservoirs
This fungal infection, caused by Candida albicans, can result in painless white plaques in the mouth known as thrush.
Candidiasis
This lab test determines the causative microorganism and which antimicrobial agents will be effective against it.
Culture and Sensitivity
Rapid IV infusion of this antibiotic, often used for MRSA, can cause a histamine release reaction known as "Red Man Syndrome".
Vancomycin
A patient taking the macrolide erythromycin should be advised to avoid this herbal supplement and this fruit juice due to interactions.
St. John's wort and grapefruit juice.
This term describes the presence of bacteria without host interaction or symptoms, as opposed to an infection.
Colonization
This strain of S. aureus has altered its penicillin-binding proteins, making it resistant to many common antibiotics.
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
A culture should be obtained at this time in relation to antibiotic administration.
Before the first antibiotic dose
This class of antibiotics is contraindicated in children under 8 and pregnant women because it can cause permanent discoloration of teeth.
Tetracyclines
This drug is used for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A or B, but for treatment, it must be started within 2 days of exposure and taken twice daily for 5 days.
Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu)
The six links in the Chain of Infection.
Infectious Agent, Reservoirs, Portal of Exit, Means of Transmission, Portal of Entry, and Susceptible Host
This bacterium causes diarrhea and colitis, often after antibiotic therapy suppresses normal intestinal flora.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
An elevated level of this immunoglobulin (Ig) indicates a recent or current infection, while an elevation in IgG indicates prior exposure.
To prevent the black box warning toxicities of aminoglycosides like gentamicin, a trough level is drawn at this time relative to administration, and a peak level is drawn at this time.
Immediately before the next dose (trough) and 30-60 minutes after the dose is administered (peak)
This antifungal is the drug of choice for Candida infections but requires monitoring of liver enzymes due to its risk of hepatotoxicity.
Fluconazole (Diflucan)