Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam Related

Review Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam related questions and content

A 47-year-old client is admitted for colon surgery. Intravenous antibiotics are started two hours prior to surgery even though the client has no known infection. The reason for giving antibiotics prior to surgery is to:

  • A. provide a cathartic action within the colon.
  • B. reduce the risk of wound infection from anaerobic bacteria.
  • C. relieve anxiety.
  • D. reduce the risk of intraoperative fever.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Cathartics, not antibiotics, promote the evacuation of intestinal contents. The client undergoing intestinal surgery is at an increased risk for infection from large numbers of anaerobic bacteria that inhabit the intestines. Administering antibiotics prophylactically can reduce the client's risk for infection. Antibiotics are indicated in the treatment of infections and have no effect on emotions. Antibiotics would have an effect on an infection which causes a temperature elevation, but they would not directly affect the temperature elevation.