A patient with pneumonia is prescribed intravenous antibiotics, and a sputum culture has been ordered. The patient is stable and has not yet received the first antibiotic dose. What should the nurse do?
Correct answer: A. Collect the sputum specimen before the first dose
- A. Collect the sputum specimen before the first dose
- B. Delay the specimen until the fever resolves
- C. Give the antibiotic before collecting sputum
- D. Discard the order if the cough is productive
Explanation
When the patient is stable, the specimen is collected before antibiotics so the causative organism is less likely to be suppressed. Treatment should not be delayed in an unstable patient, but this scenario permits prompt specimen collection first.
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About Respiratory Nursing
Covers nursing assessment and management of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleural disorders and respiratory failure. Key areas include breath sounds, oxygen therapy, airway suctioning, inhaled medicines, arterial blood gases and the difference between hypoxia, hypoxemia and carbon dioxide retention.
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