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Antibiotics
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Antibiotics are used to prevent as well as treat infections in 5036.
Multiple organisms alone, but more commonly in combination, infect patients in 5036. The vast majority of infections in the Neurosurgical ICU are by bacteria. Staph is the most common bacterial infection.
Pathogens develop defenses against antibiotics. Antibiotics designed to kill many species of bacteria at once can kill all of the normal beneficial bacteria that live in the patient making it possible for bacteria and fungus that normally would not be dangerous to colonize and multiply.
1. Peri-operative Pre-Op: antibiotics may be ordered "on-call" to OR. Post-Op: 24 - 48 hours 2. Pre-morbid Pneumonia, skin, urine infections 3. Aspiration Empiric antibiotics 4. Nosocomial
Clinical
Fever Elevated white blood cell count
Antibiotics, like most drugs, are deactivated and broken down for elimination by the liver and kidneys. Patients with liver disease may have problems breaking down and using (i.e. metabolizing) come kinds of antibiotics. In patients with kidney disease who cannot break down an antibiotic and excrete it (in the urine) the antibiotic will continue to circulate and as subsequent doses are given, to accumulate. Toxic levels of some antibiotics can injure some organs. Higher concentrations of antibiotics may make some patients more likely to have allergic reactions.
The 5 most commonly used antibiotics are:
Administer at intervals
C difficile superinfection Allergic reaction Steven's Johnson Other
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