Learning antibiotics for Step 2

[stormjen]

No matter how many times I study which antibiotics are used for which bugs, it doesn't stick. Could someone give me some guidance? Perhaps there's a simple way to learn them that I haven't figured out yet.

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[InductionAgent]

No matter how many times I study which antibiotics are used for which bugs, it doesn't stick. Could someone give me some guidance? Perhaps there's a simple way to learn them that I haven't figured out yet.

I took USMLE Step 2 Aug. 28. It didn't seem like bugs and drugs were hit extremely hard.

Remember to categorize everything:Gram+, Gram-, Anaerobes, TB, Parasites.

Know the guidelines for Staph - what to use with MSSA, MRSA.

Know what to use for TB - both for treatment (rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide or ethambutol), and prevention in close contacts. Know about isoniazid and pyridoxine deficiency.

Know the uses of metronidazole-Anaerobes, Giardia, Entamoeba, Trichomonas, Gardnerella

Be able to recognize malaria and the anti-malarial drugs. (anything -quine)

Erythromycin(or other macrolide) for Mycoplasma pneumo.

3rd-gen ceph for gonorrhea. Also tx Chlamydia in such a patient with doxy or azithromycin. (Remember not to use doxy or tetracycline on a child or potentially pregnant female).

Doxy/Tetracycline for Lyme or RMSF unless child or preg, then use Macrolide.

Macrolide for Legionella

TMP/SMX for UTI (usual agent E.coli). If resistant use FQ(but not if child or preg)
In preg. female, use Ampicillin for UTI. If UTI recurs, use TMP/SMX

Hope that helps.

 

[Stinger86]

The above poster has a pretty good list of uses.

Don't forget about prophylaxis

 

[stormjen]

Thanks for the response. The problem is that my brain functions on a conceptual level and really stinks at memorizing. I'll have to sit down with your post and my books and get it figured out. Even though there may not be a lot of coverage of antibiotics on Step 2, my level of knowledge of the topic is pathetic and should really be rectified.

 

[daisy78]

I just did a ? where a pregnant lady had history of tick exposure and was worried about getting Lyme Dz, so she was rx'd oral amoxicillin for prophylaxis.