Collection ProceduresQuestion 16 of 100
Which skin antisepsis is appropriate before collecting blood cultures from an adult?
a.Chlorhexidine gluconate applied with friction and allowed to dry completely
b.A single wipe of 70% isopropyl alcohol
c.Soap and water only
d.No antisepsis is needed because the bottles are sterile
Explanation
Blood cultures require an antiseptic effective against resident skin flora, and chlorhexidine gluconate applied with friction and fully dried is the standard for patients older than two months. A quick alcohol wipe alone does not reduce skin flora enough and leads to false-positive contaminated cultures. Sterile bottles do not protect against organisms carried in on the needle from unprepared skin.
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