The nurse is caring for a 72-year-old client with a history of renal calculi and diabetes mellitus who was admitted for acute pyelonephritis. The nurse assesses shaking chills, temperature of 101.2 F (38.4 C), and flank pain. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acute pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney usually caused by an extension of infection from the lower urinary tract (bladder). Chills and fever, vomiting, flank pain, and costovertebral tenderness are characteristic. Blood and urine cultures should be obtained prior to initiation of antibiotic therapy whenever possible to identify the causative microorganisms and determine the most effective antibiotics (Option D). Given this client's age and underlying diabetes, sepsis can occur quickly. Therefore, antibiotics should be given immediately after cultures are obtained (Option A). (Option B) The nurse should check the client's baseline renal function and complete blood count tests to compare subsequent findings. This is not the priority nursing intervention. (Option C) The client has a history of renal calculi. Straining all urine is not the priority nursing intervention. Educational objective: The priority of care for acute pyelonephritis is to obtain blood and urine cultures before initiating antibiotic therapy whenever possible.

The Nurse Is Caring for a 72-Year-Old Client with a History