Chapter 67- Central Nervous System Infections

Description:
IMPORTANT NOTE – PLEASE READ FIRST: This continuing education assessment requires that you first purchase the text book: Pharmacotherapy Principles & Practice. Please go to our home page: http://www.rxugace.com/ and click on “Books” for more information Prior To Registering for this assessment.

Upon completion of the corresponding textbook chapter in Pharmacotherapy Principles & Practice and this on-line assessment, the reader should be able to:

1. Describe the signs, symptoms, and clinical presentation of central nervous system (CNS) infections.
2. Discuss the pathophysiology of CNS infections and the impact on antimicrobial treatment regimens (such as dosing and CNS penetration).
3. List the most common pathogens causing CNS infections, and identify risk factors for infection with each pathogen.
4. State the goals of therapy for CNS infections.
5. Design appropriate empirical antimicrobial regimens for patients suspected of having CNS infections caused by each of the following pathogens (taking age, vaccine history, and other patient-specific information into account), and analyze the impact of antimicrobial resistance on both empirical and definitive therapy: Neisseria meningitidis meningitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, Hemophilus influenzae meningitis, Listeria monocytogenes meningitis, Group B Streptococcus meningitis, gram-negative bacillary meningitis, postneurosurgical infection, CNS shunt infection, herpes simplex encephalitis.
6. Modify empirical antimicrobial regimens based on laboratory data and other diagnostic criteria.
7. Discuss the management of close contacts of patients diagnosed with CNS infections.
8. Discuss the role of vaccines and other prophylactic therapies in the prevention of CNS infections.
9. Describe the role of adjunctive agents (such as dexamethasone) in the management of CNS infections.
10. Describe the components of a monitoring plan to assess efficacy and adverse effects of therapy for CNS infections.

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