Question

A child has been brought to the ED with a bite to the arm from a dog. What action by the nurse will assist in the prevention of infection?

1) No action is necessary since bites from a dog has a low incidence of infection.
2) Clean and irrigate the wounds.
3) Give antibiotics immediately.
4) Give the rabies vaccine.

Answer 1

To prevent infection of a dog bite, the nurse should clean and irrigate the wound, followed by a medical evaluation for further treatment. If the dog has confirmed rabies, administering rabies immunoglobulin and a series of vaccinations is required for post-exposure prophylaxis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most effective action by the nurse to prevent an infection from a dog bite would be to clean and irrigate the wound. This step is crucial as it helps to remove any dirt, bacteria, or other foreign materials that might lead to an infection. Although giving antibiotics and the rabies vaccine are important actions, they may not be the immediate first steps. Immediate wound care is essential, and a medical professional should evaluate the need for further treatment such as antibiotics or a rabies vaccine after cleaning the wound.

In the case of a dog with a confirmed rabies infection, administering rabies-specific antibodies (immunoglobulin) as soon as possible after the bite is imperative for post-exposure prophylaxis. Along with this, a series of rabies vaccinations are required to help the body's immune system recognize and fight the virus if the dog is suspected or known to have rabies.