title: Fighting infection: an ongoing challenge, part 2--antibacterials.
abstract: In Part 1 of this three-part series, an overview of how antimicrobials, the "silver bullets" of modern medicine, are designed to target specific agents of infection was given. The worldwide concern regarding antimicrobial resistance and the need for a more judicious approach to using antimicrobials was addressed. In this section, the focus is on those specific antimicrobial agents used to fight bacterial infections. Discussion addresses bacterial cell wall inhibitors (penicillins and cephalosporins), protein synthesis inhibitors (macrolides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides), and nucleic acid inhibitors (sulfonamides and quinolones). Examples of agents in each class are identified, with a look at the specific use, action, and potential for adverse effects. A general overview of patient teaching for antibacterial use is included.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Practice Nursing, Kent State University College of Nursing, Kent, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Beatrice B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Turkoski
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000451:nursing; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects; D027081:DNA Gyrase / Q000187:drug effects; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000451:nursing; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012646:Self Administration; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000187:drug effects; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D027081:DNA Gyrase