Question 1

Which of the following statements provides the best description of Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a severe, potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction that can produce results similar to those of second-degree burns. It is usually a reaction to a medication or infection.

Question 2

Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of a client's antimicrobial therapy?

Accepted Answer

White blood cell count should be monitored to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy as a decrease in white blood cells indicates a decrease in the infectious process. The other options are not directly related to infection control or antimicrobial therapy.

Question 3

The nurse is assigned to the care of a client who was just admitted to the nursing unit with pneumonia.The nurse anticipates receiving a drug order for an antibiotic after the laboratory telephones the nursing unit with which of the following specimen reports?

Accepted Answer

The Gram stain report is typically available quickly and helps identify the type of bacteria (Gram-positive or Gram-negative), allowing the physician to start an appropriate antibiotic while waiting for more detailed culture and sensitivity results.

Question 4

The nurse is aware that which of the following is not a mediator of the inflammatory response?

Accepted Answer

Adrenalin is not a mediator of the inflammatory response, while histamine, prostaglandin, and leukotriene are all involved in the inflammatory response. Adrenalin is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, and it is involved in the fight or flight response, not the inflammatory response.

Question 5

Which of the following types of drugs is not likely to be used in the treatment of a hypersensitivity reaction to an antimicrobial drug?

Accepted Answer

Antipyretics are typically used to reduce fever and are not directly involved in the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions. Antihistamines, corticosteroids, and epinephrine are commonly used in the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions to antimicrobial drugs.

Question 6

Which term refers to a systemic infection caused by the multiplication of microorganisms in the circulation?

Accepted Answer

Septicemia refers to the presence of microorganisms or their toxins in the bloodstream, causing a systemic infection. Infection refers to the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in a host, while colonization refers to the presence of microorganisms without signs or symptoms of infection. Inflammation is a response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Question 7

The nurse concludes that which of the following symptoms reported by the client does not indicate an actual hypersensitivity reaction?

Accepted Answer

Nausea and vomiting can be common side effects of medications and do not necessarily indicate a hypersensitivity reaction. Urticaria and hives are both skin reactions that can be caused by hypersensitivity reactions, and dyspnea (shortness of breath) can be a symptom of a severe reaction such as anaphylaxis.

Question 8

The sensitivity portion of the culture and sensitivity test is vital because it provides what information about the offending microorganism?

Accepted Answer

The sensitivity portion of the culture and sensitivity test determines the antibiotic resistance pattern of the offending microorganism. This information is crucial in guiding the choice of the most appropriate antibiotic for treatment.

Question 9

The nurse explains to a client that a newly ordered antibiotic should help improve the client's symptoms within what timeframe after administration begins?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics usually start showing improvement in symptoms within 2 days of administration. It is important for clients to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if they start feeling better, to ensure complete eradication of the infection.

Question 10

The nurse explains to a new nursing student that antimicrobial agents may exert their bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal actions in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

Antimicrobial agents may exert their bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal actions by inhibiting the synthesis of essential metabolites that are necessary for bacterial growth and replication, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and cell wall components. This can ultimately lead to bacterial death (bactericidal) or a suspension of bacterial growth (bacteriostatic). Choices A, C, and D are not accurate descriptions of how antimicrobial agents work.

Question 11

The nurse notes that a client going to surgery has an order for an antibiotic.The nurse expects that the client may continue receiving the antibiotic to prevent infection for up to how long after surgery?

Accepted Answer

The standard practice for antibiotic prophylaxis for surgery is to continue administration for up to 48 hours post-surgery to prevent infection.

Question 12

The client is beginning to develop signs of a hypersensitivity reaction to an antibiotic.The nurse would be most concerned about development of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a serious and potentially life-threatening symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction. It suggests the development of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. While localized and generalized skin rashes and urticaria (hives) are also potential symptoms of a medication allergy, they are less concerning than respiratory distress.

Question 13

The nurse is aware that a client's primary defense mechanism against infection is the

Accepted Answer

The skin is the first line of defense against infection, acting as a physical barrier between the internal organs and the external environment. It prevents microorganisms from entering the body through cuts or openings in the skin. While white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count are important in fighting infection, they are considered secondary defense mechanisms. Subcutaneous fat does not play a direct role in the body's defense against infection.

Question 14

A client who has been taking antibiotics for approximately 4 days develops a superinfection.When explaining superinfection to the client,the nurse would include that it develops

Accepted Answer

Superinfections often occur when large doses of antibiotics are used because they not only kill the targeted pathogenic bacteria but also affect the normal flora, allowing other opportunistic bacteria or fungi to overgrow and cause infection. Superinfection may not develop rarely with the use of single-drug therapy or all the time with any type of intravenous antibiotics. It may occur with both narrow-spectrum and broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Question 15

The nurse anticipates that irreversible brain damage may occur at a body temperature of

Accepted Answer

Irreversible brain damage is more likely to occur at extremely high body temperatures, typically around 108° F (42° C) or higher. This level of hyperthermia can lead to the denaturation of proteins and cell membranes in the brain, causing permanent damage.

Quiz 57: Overview of Infections, inflammation, and Fever