Antimicrobial classifications
Antimicrobial classifications ( 11 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has malaria and is prescribed chloroquine. What is the mechanism of action of this drug?
Chloroquine inhibits heme polymerization in the parasite, which causes the accumulation of toxic heme and kills the parasite.
Heme polymerization is the process of converting heme, a toxic byproduct of hemoglobin digestion, into hemozoin, a nontoxic pigment that can be stored by the parasite. Chloroquine forms a complex with heme and prevents it from polymerizing, thus disrupting the parasite’s metabolism and survival.
Choice B is wrong because chloroquine does not disrupt mitochondrial function in the parasite.
Choice C is wrong because chloroquine does not interfere with DNA synthesis in the parasite.
Choice D is wrong because chloroquine does not block calcium influx in the parasite.
Chloroquine inhibits heme polymerization in the parasite, which causes the accumulation of toxic heme and kills the parasite.
Choice B is wrong because chloroquine does not disrupt mitochondrial function in the parasite.
Choice C is wrong because chloroquine does not interfere with DNA synthesis in the parasite.
Choice D is wrong because chloroquine does not block calcium influx in the parasite.
Heme polymerization is the process of converting heme, a toxic byproduct of hemoglobin digestion, into hemozoin, a nontoxic pigment that can be stored by the parasite. Chloroquine forms a complex with heme and prevents it from polymerizing, thus disrupting the parasite’s metabolism and survival.