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Penicillins — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Watch anaphylaxis + cross-allergy

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Penicillins on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Use

Key facts

Strep, syphilis, gram + cocci
Cell wall inhibitor → bactericidal

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Allergy

Key facts

Anaphylaxis risk → ask allergy first
Cross-allergy with cephalosporins

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Do

Nursing actions

Observe 30 min after dose
Take full course, finish all
Some on empty stomach

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Teach

Teaching points

↓oral contraceptive effectiveness
Report rash, wheeze, swelling

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Quick Tip

Penicillins are bactericidal and work by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis.

📖 Related Topics

Digoxin Toxicity Heparin Therapy Warfarin Therapy Acetaminophen Poisoning in Children

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