A patient with right lower-lobe pneumonia has been treated with IV antibiotics for 3 days. Which assessment data obtained by the nurse indicates that the treatment is effective?
The patient's white blood cell (WBC) count is 6000/μL.
Bronchial breath sounds are heard at the right base.
Increased tactile fremitus is palpable over the right chest.
The patient coughs up small amounts of green mucus.
The Correct Answer is A
A. A decrease in the white blood cell count toward normal levels indicates that the infection is responding to antibiotic treatment. A WBC count of 6000/μL is within the normal range for adults (usually 4,000–11,000/μL), which suggests that the body is no longer fighting a significant infection.
B. Bronchial breath sounds heard at the right base indicate consolidation, a sign of ongoing pneumonia or unresolved infection. This would suggest that the infection is not yet controlled, rather than an improvement.
C. Increased tactile fremitus indicates consolidation, which is commonly seen in pneumonia. It suggests that the infection is still present and has not resolved with treatment.
D. Green mucus can indicate the presence of purulent sputum and ongoing infection. Although the color of the mucus may change during the course of pneumonia, the presence of green mucus does not confirm that the infection is resolving, especially after three days of antibiotics.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The IV tubing for TPN should be changed every 24 hours to prevent infection, as TPN is a high-risk solution for bacterial growth due to its high glucose content. Regular changes help reduce the risk of contamination and complications such as bloodstream infections.
B. The IV site dressing should be changed at least every 48 to 72 hours (or per institutional policy) to maintain aseptic technique and minimize infection risk. Changing the dressing every 4 days may exceed this timeframe and increase the risk of infection.
C. Weighing the client is important to monitor fluid balance, but daily weighing is more typical than every other day for clients receiving TPN. This helps to assess nutritional status and detect potential fluid overload or deficit.
D. Blood glucose levels should be monitored more frequently, typically every 6 hours, because TPN can cause significant fluctuations in blood glucose. Checking every 12 hours would not be adequate for early detection of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic is not the first action in this case. The first priority is to assess the situation and obtain a culture of the drainage to identify any infection before initiating antibiotics.
B. While notifying the healthcare provider is important, it is more important to take an initial action by obtaining a culture specimen. Waiting without taking action could delay appropriate care.
C. The best first action is to obtain a culture of the drainage to identify any potential infection, apply a sterile dressing, and continue to monitor the site for further signs of infection. Culturing the drainage helps guide the appropriate treatment.
D. Removing the sutures is not the appropriate action. The sutures should not be removed unless there is clear indication, as this could disrupt the integrity of the catheter placement.
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