Practice Quiz

CMSRN Medical-Surgical Nursing

Category - Neuro/Muscular

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Two weeks after a cast is applied, a foul odor is detected at the lower end of the cast. A window is made in the cast over the infected area and an antibiotic is prescribed. After 3 days on antibiotic therapy, which effect would be most indicative of a therapeutic response?
  1. WBC is 7,900/mm3
  2. Temperature is 99.4°F
  3. No complaints of pain
  4. Appetite is fairly good
Explanation
Answer - A - The most objective measure of the effectiveness of an antibiotic is a return of the white blood cell count to normal (WBC: 5,000-10,000/mm3). A low-grade temperature (Choice B) may indicate a lingering infection. No complaints of pain and a good appetite (Choices C and D) are both good clinical indicators, but not as objective or as clearly measurable as the white blood cell count.
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