NCLEX Practice Test

What would indicate proper management of a client experiencing a central line infection?

1. Initiate IV piperacillin/tazobactam first

2. Obtain blood cultures and discontinue the CVC

3. Provide antiemetics PRN

4. Report to the epidemiology team

The correct answer is: Initiate IV piperacillin/tazobactam first

The management of a client experiencing a central line infection revolves around prompt and appropriate interventions to address the infection effectively. The correct response involves obtaining blood cultures to identify the pathogen causing the infection before starting antibiotic therapy and discontinuing the central venous catheter (CVC) to reduce the source of the infection. While initiating intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam (an antibiotic) might seem like a reasonable step in treating the infection, without first obtaining blood cultures, the treatment may not be appropriately tailored to the specific organism responsible for the infection. This is crucial because it allows for effective identification and can guide targeted therapy based on the pathogen's sensitivity profile. Overuse or inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can contribute to resistance and complicate treatment. Discontinuing the CVC is also a vital step, as it can be a continuous source of infection if not removed. Providing antiemetics only addresses symptoms and does not manage the infection or its cause. Similarly, reporting to the epidemiology team is important for infection control but comes after ensuring that immediate treatment steps have been taken. Therefore, the best course of action focuses on identifying the causative organism and limiting the infection source.