The nurse is caring for a hospitalized patient who has symptoms characteristic of pyelonephritis. Before administering the first dose of the intravenous antibiotic, the nurse will ensure that which action is performed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Before administering the first dose of an antibiotic for pyelonephritis, a urine culture should be obtained to confirm the presence of a bacterial infection and to identify the specific pathogen causing the infection. This will help guide the selection of antibiotics for treatment. Administering antipyretics or urinary analgesics is symptomatic treatment and may not address the underlying infection. A dose of oral antibiotics may not be effective in treating an acute pyelonephritis infection and intravenous antibiotics may be required for more aggressive treatment.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Hospitalized Patient Who Has