Patient Education
Patient Education ( 14 Questions)
Which nursing intervention is most important for preventing surgical site infections in clients undergoing surgery?
Administering prophylactic antibiotics as ordered. According to the WHO guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI), prophylactic antibiotics should be given within 60 minutes before skin incision and discontinued within 24 hours after surgery.
This reduces the risk of SSI by preventing bacterial colonization of the surgical site.
Encouraging coughing and deep breathing exercises is wrong because this intervention is mainly for preventing respiratory complications, not SSI. Coughing and deep breathing exercises help to clear secretions and prevent atelectasis and pneumonia.
Providing adequate pain control is wrong because this intervention is mainly for improving patient comfort and recovery, not SSI. Pain control may reduce stress and inflammation, but it does not directly affect the risk of SSI.
Assessing for signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is wrong because this intervention is mainly for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE), not SSI.
DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs.
The correct answer is choice A) Administering prophylactic antibiotics as ordered. According to the WHO guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI), prophylactic antibiotics should be given within 60 minutes before skin incision and discontinued within 24 hours after surgery.
This reduces the risk of SSI by preventing bacterial colonization of the surgical site.
Choice B) Encouraging coughing and deep breathing exercises is wrong because this intervention is mainly for preventing respiratory complications, not SSI. Coughing and deep breathing exercises help to clear secretions and prevent atelectasis and pneumonia.
Choice C) Providing adequate pain control is wrong because this intervention is mainly for improving patient comfort and recovery, not SSI. Pain control may reduce stress and inflammation, but it does not directly affect the risk of SSI.
Choice D) Assessing for signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is wrong because this intervention is mainly for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE), not SSI.
DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs.
It can cause pain, swelling, and redness. If the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening.
Some other intraoperative interventions for preventing SSI include using an alcohol-based skin prep, maintaining body temperature, using impervious wound protectors, and performing SSI surveillance.