How to Manage Pneumonia in the Outpatient

Pneumonia is simply a type of infection of one or both lungs. Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) describes the clinical scenario where signs and symptoms of a lung infection started outside of the hospital OR within 48 hours (2 days) of hospital admission. Within this timeframe, it is likely the patient encountered the bug and itContinue reading “How to Manage Pneumonia in the Outpatient”

Navigating Pneumonia: Where and How to Treat

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract specifically the lungs. You can refer to the introduction of the study unit on SINUSITIS for a detailed discussion of the respiratory system. This study unit is based on the current Clinical Practice Guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA)Continue reading “Navigating Pneumonia: Where and How to Treat”

Sinusitis: What You Need to Know to Maximize Patient Outcomes

Respiratory tract infections can affect the upper (sinuses, throat, nasal cavity) and lower (windpipe, lungs) respiratory tract. Sinusitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses, leading to symptoms like runny or stuffy nose and facial pain. Treatment involves antibiotics for bacterial cases, but most viral cases resolve on their own. Symptomatic management includes saline irrigation and analgesics.

Volume of Distribution: Why We Need it and How to Use It

Distribution is the second step in drug pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics refers to how a drug is processed by the body. Volume of distribution is a way to quantify the extent of drug distribution throughout the body. Intravascular & Extravascular Spaces The body can be broadly divided into intravascular and extravascular spaces. Intravascular space refers to anyContinue reading “Volume of Distribution: Why We Need it and How to Use It”

Pharmacokinetics of Absorption: 3 Metabolic Processes that Affect Bioavailability

First Pass Effect, Enterohepatic Recirculation and P glycoproteins Drug absorption is the first important step needed for a drug to impact the body. The first pass effect, enterohepatic recirculation and p glycoproteins determine how much of the absorbed drug gets to the site of action. When we develop a dosing regimen, we consider how muchContinue reading “Pharmacokinetics of Absorption: 3 Metabolic Processes that Affect Bioavailability”