Antifungals
(Ch 11)
(Ch 11)
The prototype systemic antifungal drug notorious for severe adverse effects including renal toxicity, chills, and fever, earning it the nickname "Amphoterrible."
What is Amphotericin B?
The synthetic antiprotozoal drug used to treat Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia lamblia, and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff).
What is Metronidazole (Flagyl)?
The most common microscopic parasitic worm infection in children, diagnosed using the "tape test" around the perianal area at night or early morning.
What are Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis)?
Immunosuppressant drugs like Cyclosporine are routinely prescribed following organ transplantation to prevent this reaction.
What is Graft Rejection?
Type of immunity acquired when the body produces its own antibodies in response to an antigen exposure or vaccination.
What is Active Immunity?
The primary organ system that must be closely monitored for toxicity in patients receiving long-term oral azole antifungals like fluconazole or ketoconazole.
What is the Liver (Hepatic System)?
Patients taking Metronidazole must strictly avoid this substance to prevent severe disulfiram-like reactions (flushing, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia).
What is Alcohol?
Patients on long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy must never stop taking the drug abruptly to avoid triggering this crisis.
What is Acute Adrenal Insufficiency (Adrenal Crisis)?
Naturally occurring proteins (e.g., Interferon alpha) released by virus-infected cells to inhibit viral replication and stimulate immune cells.
What are Interferons?
Type of immunity provided when preformed antibodies or immune globulins are directly administered to an individual for immediate protection.
What is Passive Immunity?
An oral or topical antifungal suspension commonly prescribed to treat Candida infections such as oral thrush.
What is Nystatin?
The primary class of antimalarial medications used both for the prevention and treatment of Plasmodium infections.
What is Chloroquine (or Hydroxychloroquine)?
A characteristic body habitus change from prolonged corticosteroid use, featuring a "moon face" and "buffalo hump."
What is Cushingoid State (Cushing's Syndrome)?
Laboratory synthesized proteins designed to target specific antigens or receptors on cancer cells or autoimmune immune cells (ending in "-mab").
What are Monoclonal Antibodies?
A bacterial toxin that has been rendered non-toxic but remains capable of stimulating antibody production (e.g., Tetanus).
What is a Toxoid?
Class of antifungals (e.g., caspofungin) that works by inhibiting the synthesis of glucan in the fungal cell wall.
What are Echinocandins?
Antimalarial drugs target this stage of the malaria parasite's life cycle in humans to prevent symptoms.
What is the Erythrocytic (Red Blood Cell) Stage?
Because corticosteroids suppress the immune response, nurses must closely monitor patients for subtle signs of this.
What is Infection?
Patients taking disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like Infliximab must be screened for this latent bacterial infection before starting therapy.
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
The administrative protocol requiring written consent and provision of standardized risk/benefit information before administering any vaccine.
What is a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)?
Liposomal formulations of Amphotericin B were developed primarily to reduce the risk of this major organ toxicity.
What is Nephrotoxicity?
A major adverse reaction associated with high-dose or long-term chloroquine therapy that requires baseline and regular visual exams.
What is Retinal Toxicity (Retinopathy)?
The primary mineralocorticoid effect seen with high-dose steroid therapy that causes fluid retention and elevated blood pressure.
What is Sodium and Water Retention?
Immune stimulants that regulate growth and differentiation of blood cells, such as Filgrastim, which stimulates white blood cell production.
What are Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs)?
Immune sera prepared from human or animal blood containing high titers of antibodies used to neutralize venom, toxins, or specific acute exposures.
What is Antitoxin (or Immune Globulin / Antivenom)?