A client has been prescribed an antibiotic and overhears the prescriber talking about acquired resistance. The client asks the nurse what this means. What is the nurse's best statement regarding acquired resistance?

To calculate the rate at which the IV pump should be set to deliver 3,000 mL of intravenous fluids over 24 hours, you would divide the total volume (3,000 mL) by the total time (24 hours):

Rate (mL/hr) = Total volume (mL) / Total time (hours)

Rate = 3,000 mL / 24 hours

Rate ≈ 125 mL/hr

Rounding to the nearest whole number, the IV pump should be set to deliver approximately 125 mL/hr.

1. Abdominal surgery requires starting antibiotic therapy 4 days before surgery:

This statement is not accurate. While antibiotic prophylaxis is commonly administered before certain types of surgery to prevent surgical site infections, the timing and duration of antibiotic therapy vary depending on factors such as the type of surgery, the patient’s medical history, and institutional guidelines. However, starting antibiotic therapy four days before surgery would not be standard practice for most abdominal surgeries.

B. A reduction of intestinal bacteria lessens the possibility of postoperative infection:

This statement is correct. Neomycin, as well as other antibiotics used in bowel preparation regimens, help reduce the population of intestinal bacteria. By decreasing the bacterial load in the bowel before surgery, the risk of contaminating the surgical site with harmful bacteria during the procedure is reduced, thus lowering the likelihood of postoperative infections.

C. The bacteria found in the bowel cannot be destroyed after surgery:

This statement is incorrect. While it is true that the bowel contains a complex ecosystem of bacteria that play important roles in digestion and other physiological functions, the population of intestinal bacteria can be temporarily reduced through the use of antibiotics, such as neomycin, as part of a bowel preparation regimen before surgery.

D. Anesthesia makes the bowel resistant to an antibiotic after surgery:

This statement is not accurate. Anesthesia does not render the bowel resistant to antibiotics after surgery. However, the administration of antibiotics during surgery and postoperatively may be indicated in certain cases to prevent or treat infections, particularly if the surgical procedure involves contamination of the abdominal cavity or if the patient is at increased risk of infection.