Essentials of Antibacterial Therapy

Antibacterial therapy remains a cornerstone of clinical practice across healthcare disciplines. With rising antimicrobial resistance, appropriate antibiotic use has never been more critical. Essentials of Antibacterial Therapy equips nurses and advanced practice providers with a foundational understanding of antibacterial pharmacology, clinical indications, and stewardship principles necessary for safe and effective patient care.

This course delivers a comprehensive overview of antibacterial agents, including classification, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and common resistance patterns. Participants will review evidence-based approaches to the management of bacterial infections, therapeutic decision-making in special populations, and the latest CDC and WHO guidelines on antimicrobial stewardship.

Topics covered include:

• Overview of Antibacterial Classes: Beta-lactams, macrolides, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, glycopeptides, and newer agents.
• Mechanisms of Action and Resistance: How antibacterial agents work and how resistance develops at the cellular and molecular levels.
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion principles affecting antibacterial efficacy.
• Infection-Specific Therapies: Recommended regimens for respiratory, urinary tract, skin and soft tissue, and gastrointestinal infections.
• Dosing and Administration: Adjustments for renal/hepatic impairment, pediatric/geriatric considerations, and IV-to-oral conversion strategies.
• Antibiotic Adverse Effects and Monitoring: Recognizing drug-specific side effects, toxicity, drug interactions, and necessary laboratory surveillance.
• Antimicrobial Stewardship: Principles of judicious antibiotic use, patient education, and institutional policies to combat resistance.
• Clinical Case Scenarios: Application of learned concepts to real-world cases involving multi-drug resistant organisms and complex patient profiles.

Completion Requirements:

To receive full CE credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Complete all course modules and assigned readings.
• Pass the post-test with a score of 70% or higher.
• Submit course evaluations for each module.

Course materials may include case scenarios, state-specific policy references, and downloadable clinical tools for use in practice.

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: Faculty and planners report no relevant financial relationships.
• Commercial Support: This activity received no external commercial funding or sponsorship.
• Non-Endorsement: Accreditation does not imply endorsement of any commercial products or companies.
• Off-Label Product Use: Any mention of off-label drug use is consistent with current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice.