A 56-year-old grandmother has been admitted to the hospital with a fever of 103.2° F after caring for her 5-year-old granddaughter who also developed a fever.The health care provider has ordered blood cultures,antibiotics,antipyretics,a clear liquid diet,and a chest radiograph.Which of the orders should the nurse do first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Before antibiotic therapy,obtain blood cultures when ordered.Obtain blood specimens at the same time as a temperature spike,when the causative organism is most prevalent.Antipyretics are medications that reduce fever.It is important to note that these drugs mask signs of infection by suppressing the immune system.Physical cooling,including the use of water-cooled blankets,is appropriate when the patient's own thermoregulation fails or in patients with neurological damage (e.g.,spinal cord injury).

A 56-Year-Old Grandmother Has Been Admitted to the Hospital with a Fever