Final answer:
The greatest risk for infection is in the client receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Staphylococcus epidermidis is associated with infections from medical devices. Selecting the right antibiotic is based on identifying the pathogen and its susceptibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Greatest Risk for Developing an Infection
The client who should be identified as having the greatest risk for developing an infection is the client receiving immunosuppressive therapy. This type of therapy can greatly reduce the body's normal immune response, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections, including nosocomial and iatrogenic diseases. Clients with surgical wounds, controlled diabetes, or prophylactic antibiotics do have risks, but these are outweighed by the compromised immunity from immunosuppressive drugs.
Nosocomial Infections and Medical Devices
An example of a species frequently associated with nosocomial infections transmitted via medical devices inserted into the body is Staphylococcus epidermidis. This bacterium is known to form biofilms on devices such as intravenous catheters, which can lead to serious and persistent infections resistant to antibiotic therapy. Proper aseptic technique and protocol compliance are critical to preventing such infections.
Appropriate Antibiotic Selection
For infections that arise, it is crucial to identify the specific cause of the infection to select the most effective antibiotic. Considering the pathogen's susceptibility to various antibiotics and the site of the infection (such as UTIs caused by E. coli, wound infections by S. aureus, or respiratory infections by P. aeruginosa) informs appropriate antibiotic selection.