A patient with an open leg wound has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 13, 500/µL and a band count of 11%. What action should the nurse take first?
a. Obtain wound cultures.
b. Start antibiotic therapy.
c. Redress the wound with wet-to-dry dressings.
d. Continue to monitor the wound for purulent drainage.
ANS: A
The increase in WBC count with the increased bands (shift to the left) indicates that the patient probably has a bacterial infection, and the nurse should obtain wound cultures. Antibiotic therapy and/or dressing changes may be started, but cultures should be done first. The nurse will continue to monitor the wound, but additional actions are needed as well.
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