Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 64%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who has a wound infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when obtaining a wound drainage specimen for culture?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Cleanse the wound with 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation before obtaining the specimen. This step is essential to remove debris and contaminants from the wound, ensuring that the specimen obtained is not contaminated. Cleansing with a normal saline solution helps to minimize the risk of introducing outside pathogens into the culture sample. It also helps to provide a more accurate representation of the microorganisms present specifically within the wound.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choice B suggests using an antiseptic, which may interfere with the accuracy of the culture results. Choice C is incorrect because intact skin should not be included in the culture sample, as it does not reflect the microorganisms present in the wound. Choice D is incorrect as swabbing an area away from the wound will not provide relevant information about the wound infection.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choice B suggests using an antiseptic, which may interfere with the accuracy of the culture results. Choice C is incorrect because intact skin should not be included in the culture sample, as it does not reflect the microorganisms present in the wound. Choice D is incorrect as swabbing an area away from the wound will not provide relevant information about the wound infection.