A patient admitted with a fever of unknown origin has orders for "blood cultures x 3." The nurse should inform the patient that this procedure involves:
A)Collecting three samples daily in the morning, with one venipuncture when other daily blood work is obtained.
B)Obtaining three samples from different sites, with each sample requiring venipuncture.
C)Obtaining sufficient blood to prepare three sets of culture vials with one venipuncture.
D)Using random specimens, collected at the time any other blood sample is obtained, to minimize the number of venipunctures required.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a patient has orders for "blood cultures x 3," it involves obtaining three samples from different sites, with each sample requiring a separate venipuncture. This approach is used to increase the likelihood of detecting the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, while also minimizing the risk of contamination from a single site. Collecting samples from different sites can help differentiate between a true bloodstream infection and contamination from the skin.

A Patient Admitted with a Fever of Unknown Origin Has