Nursing Buddy

Anthelmintic Agents Two Types of Helminths Commonly Infecting Humans Nematodes or roundworms Pinworms, whipworms, threadworms, Ascaris, and hookworms Platyhelminthes or flatworms Cestodes (tapeworms) and flukes (schistosomes) Measures to Control Infection Keep nails short Keep hands clean Frequent handwashing Shower in the morning Change and launder undergarments, bed linens, and pajamas daily Disinfect toilet seat daily [...]

Antiprotozoal Agents Causes of Protozoal Infections Insect bites Malaria Trypanosomiasis Leishmaniasis Ingestion or contact with the causal organism Amebiasis Giardiasis Trichomoniasis Protozoal Parasites Identified as Causes of Malaria Plasmodium falciparum Considered the most dangerous type of protozoan Plasmodium vivax Milder form of the disease; seldom results in death Plasmodium malariae Endemic in tropical countries; mild [...]

Antifungal Agents What Is a Fungus? Fungus Composed of a rigid cell wall made up of chitin and various polysaccharides, and a cell membrane containing ergosterol Protective layers of the fungal cell make the organism resistant to antibiotics Patients Susceptible to Fungal Infections Patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC) Patients taking immunosuppressant drugs Patients [...]

Antiviral Agents Viruses That Respond to Antiviral Therapy Influenza A and some respiratory viruses Herpes viruses Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) Some viruses that cause warts and certain eye infections Antivirals Across the Lifespan Characteristics of Common Viruses Viral replication A virus cannot replicate on its own [...]

Antibiotics Antibiotics Antibiotics are defined as: Chemicals that inhibit specific bacteria Types of Antibiotics Bacteriostatic Substances that prevent the growth of bacteria Bactericidal Substances that kill bacteria directly Signs of Infection Fever Lethargy Slow-wave sleep induction Classic signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, heat, and pain) Goal of Antibiotic Therapy Decrease the population of the invading [...]

Anti-infective Agents Drug Therapy Across the Lifespan Development of Anti-infective Therapy 1920s Paul Ehrlich worked on developing a synthetic chemical effective against infection-causing cells only Scientists discovered penicillin in a mold sample 1935 The sulfonamides were introduced Mechanisms of Action Interfere with biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall Prevent the cells of the invading organism [...]

Introduction to Cell Physiology Chemotherapeutic Agents Alter cellular function or disrupt cellular integrity, causing cell death Prevent cellular reproduction, eventually leading to cell death Chemotherapeutic Drugs Destroy organisms that invade the body Bacteria, viruses, parasites, protozoa, fungi Destroy abnormal cells within the body Neoplasms and cancers Parts of a Human Cell Nucleus Cell membrane Cytoplasm [...]

Drug Therapy in the 21st Century Changes in Health Care in the 21st Century Access to medical and pharmacologic information is available from many sources Consumers are taking steps to demand specific treatments and considerations Alternative therapies are being offered and advertised Financial pressures are leading to early discharge Patient teaching and home care provisions [...]

Dosage Calculations Dosing Considerations Sex Weight Age Physical condition Other drugs that the patient is taking Accurate Dosing Dependent on: The prescriber who orders the drug The pharmacist who dispenses the drug The nurse who administers the drug Measuring Systems Metric system Apothecary system Household system Avoirdupois system Metric System Solids: gram (g) 1 milligram [...]

Nursing Management Nursing Responsibility Assessment Administration of ordered medications and therapy Assessment of reaction/outcome to medications Teaching Evaluation of teaching effectiveness Nursing Process Assessment Gather data: history and physical assessment Nursing diagnosis Draw a conclusion from the assessment data that was gathered Intervention Formulate a plan of care that includes actions to improve or maintain [...]