A patient with an open leg wound has a white blood cell (WBC) ...

[saliriagwu]

A patient with an open leg wound has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 13, 500/L and a band count of 11. What action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Obtain wound cultures.
  b. Start antibiotic therapy.
  c. Redress the wound with wet-to-dry dressings.
  d. Continue to monitor the wound for purulent drainage.

Question 2

The nurse assesses a patient's surgical wound on the first postoperative day and notes redness and warmth around the incision. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
 
  a. Obtain wound cultures.
  b. Document the assessment.
  c. Notify the health care provider.
  d. Assess the wound every 2 hours.

[epscape]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The increase in WBC count with the increased bands (shift to the left) indicates that the patient probably has a bacterial infection, and the nurse should obtain wound cultures. Antibiotic therapy and/or dressing changes may be started, but cultures should be done first. The nurse will continue to monitor the wound, but additional actions are needed as well.

Answer to Question 2

Beautifully done Thanks