Antifungal drugs are crucial weapons against fungal infections. They work in different ways to kill fungi or stop their growth. From polyenes that punch holes in fungal cells to azoles that mess with their membranes, these drugs have various tricks up their sleeves. Getting antifungal drugs into the body and to the right spots can […]
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Quiz: Infections in Immunocompromised Patients
Resistance Quiz
Antifungals
Pneumonia Quiz
Surgical Prophylaxis
You must administer surgical prophylaxis at the time of the first incision or as close as possible. Redose if surgery is longer than four hours. No need for post-op, except in cardiac procedures. Usually use cefazolin 2 g (3 g for patients above 120 kg), ceftriaxone, cefotetan, cefoxitin 2 g, clindamycin 900 mg, vancomycin 15 mg/kg Cefazolin 2g is […]
Seizures: Epilepsy
*See the seizure medication table for quick reference.*Seizure Emergencies Epilepsy Treatment Options: Know doses for narrow therapeutic index drugs like phenytoin, but mostly need to know what kind of seizure and major side effects that would cause you to choose a different therapy. Also know REMS programs. Benzos can be used as adjunctive, short-term therapy (clorazepate, clonazepam, diazepam […]
Multiple Sclerosis
Acute Relapses: Methylprednisone 1g/day in divided doses for 3-5 days. Oral prednisone 1250 mg every other day for 5 days Intravenous adrenocortical hormones. DMARDs- Alemtuzumab – Can cause thyroid disorder, infusion reactions, increased infections (screen for herpes and TB before giving), may risk some cancers, vaccinate 6 weeks prior to therapy, avoid live vaccines during treatment. B – interferon […]
Schizophrenia
Diagnosis: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) – 7-point, 30 item scale. Requires a 45-minute interview Positive Symptom Rating Scale (PSRS) – 1-7 scale Brief Negative Symptoms Assessment (BNSA) 1-6 scale Treatment: Antipsychotics are the first line The Joint Commission recommends 1 antipsychotic unless: 3 failed attempts at monotherapy A plan […]
