Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients with Chest and Lower Respiratory Tract Disorders Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients with Chest and Lower Respiratory Tract Disorders related questions and content

A hospital has been the site of an increased incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). What is an important measure for the prevention of HAP?

  • A. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics
  • B. Administration of pneumococcal vaccine to vulnerable individuals
  • C. Obtaining culture and sensitivity swabs from all newly admitted patients
  • D. Administration of antiretroviral medications to patients over age 65
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Pneumococcal vaccination reduces the incidence of pneumonia, hospitalizations for cardiac conditions, and deaths in the general older adult population. A one-time vaccination of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) is recommended for all patients 65 years of age or older and those with chronic diseases. Antibiotics are not given on a preventative basis and antiretroviral medications do not affect the most common causative microorganisms. Culture and sensitivity testing by swabbing is not performed for pneumonia since the microorganisms are found in sputum.