Safety and Infection Control Q 10
A child is admitted to the hospital several days after stepping on a sharp object that punctured her athletic shoe and entered the flesh of her foot. The physician is concerned about osteomyelitis and has ordered parenteral antibiotics. Which of the following actions is done immediately before the antibiotic is started?
A. The admission orders are written.
B. A blood culture is drawn.
C. A complete blood count with differential is drawn.
D. The parents arrive.
Correct Answer: B. A blood culture is drawn.
Antibiotics must be started after the blood culture is drawn, as they may interfere with the identification of the causative organism.
Option A: Making sure that the physician’s orders for antibiotics are written, instead of admitting orders, should be done.
Option C: The blood count will reveal the presence of infection but does not help identify an organism or guide antibiotic treatment.
Option D: Parental presence is important for the adjustment of the child but not for the administration of medication.