Pharmacy AI · Module 3 · Unit 2 — Selection of Safe & Effective Antimicrobial Therapy

Selection of Safe & Effective Antimicrobial Therapy

Aim — To select the safest, most effective and most appropriate antimicrobial for a patient using the infection, culture & sensitivity (antibiogram), allergy, kidney function and pregnancy status, applying antimicrobial-stewardship principles. Duration 60 minutes · One case per student · 100-mark rubric · Pass 50%.

Case —

Score —

Result —

◐ Theme

New to antimicrobial selection? Start here

Choosing an antibiotic is not just "which one kills the bug". A good choice must be Safe, Effective, and appropriate (stewardship). Work through each case like this:

Identify the infection & likely organism — use the site of infection and any culture & sensitivity (antibiogram) result.
Effective? — the antibiotic must cover the organism and be sensitive on the antibiogram (not resistant).
Safe? — check allergy, pregnancy and kidney function. Never choose a drug the patient is allergic to or that is contraindicated.
Stewardship — pick the narrowest effective agent, the right route (oral if possible), and de-escalate once cultures are back. Save broad-spectrum drugs for when they are truly needed.

Unsure on a case? Open “Need a hint?” in the station.

Student tasks

Common safety rules to remember

Situation	Avoid / caution
Penicillin allergy	Avoid penicillins & co-amoxiclav; use a macrolide, doxycycline (caution with cephalosporins)
Pregnancy	Avoid fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin) & tetracyclines (doxycycline); trimethoprim in 1st trimester
Poor kidney function	Avoid nitrofurantoin (eGFR < 45); dose-adjust or avoid nephrotoxic agents (e.g. gentamicin)
Stewardship	Use the narrowest effective agent; de-escalate from broad-spectrum once cultures return

Faculty assessment rubric

Criteria	Marks

Choosing an antibiotic the patient is allergic to, or that is contraindicated (pregnancy / kidney), is a patient-safety error and fails the station.

Candidate & case assignment

Candidate name

Registration no.

Assigned case

Practical record & assessment

Select the antimicrobial and submit to generate your assessment, then write and submit your report.