Question

A nurse is reviewing guideline for prophylactic antibiotics. The nurse should identify that prophylactic therapy is not recommended for which of the following client?

a. A client who has a fever of unknown origin
b. A client who has a prosthetic heart valve is having dental surgery
c. A client following a total hip arthroplasty
d. A client who had an emergency cesarean section

Answer 1

Prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended for a client with a fever of unknown origin because prophylaxis is aimed at preventing infection, not treating an existing, unidentified infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify that prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended for a client who has a fever of unknown origin. Prophylactic therapy is typically used in situations where there is a high risk of infection, such as a client with a prosthetic heart valve undergoing dental surgery or a client following a total hip arthroplasty. In the case of emergency procedures like a cesarean section, prophylactic antibiotics may be used to prevent infection. However, for a fever without a known source, empirical treatment would generally begin after the cause of the fever is identified rather than using prophylaxis, which is aimed at preventing infection rather than treating an existing, unidentified infection.