Question

A client in a nursing home is diagnosed with urethritis. What should the nurse plan to do before initiating antibiotic therapy prescribed by the primary healthcare provider?

1. Start a 24-hour urine collection.
2. Prepare for urinary catheterization.
3. Teach the client how to perform perineal care.
4. Obtain a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity.

Answer 1

The nurse should obtain a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity before initiating antibiotic therapy for a client with urethritis to ensure the treatment is targeted to the specific bacteria causing the infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before initiating antibiotic therapy for a client diagnosed with urethritis, the nurse should plan to obtain a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity. This is essential for determining the causative organism of the infection and to ensure the prescribed antibiotic is effective against it.

Urine culture is a critical step in the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs), as it allows for the identification of the specific bacteria causing the infection. Initiating treatment before obtaining a specimen could affect the results of the culture, potentially leading to inappropriate treatment if the bacteria are resistant to the prescribed antibiotic. Urine culture should ideally be done before antibiotic therapy starts to avoid any interference with the detection of the causative bacteria.

Moreover, a culture and sensitivity test is important to help target the specific pathogens present and to choose an antibiotic that the bacteria have not developed resistance to. This step aligns with clinical practice for managing infections and increasing the chances of successful treatment.