4-17. INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
Being knowledgeable of the location of every wound and drainage tube is very
important. The practical nurse must practice aseptic techniques in collecting
specimens, avoiding accidental contamination of the specimen, and the spread of
infection to others.
a.
Procedures for Collecting/Submitting a Wound Culture Specimen
From a Postoperative Patient.
(1)
Wash hands and assemble all equipment.
(a)
Antiseptic swabs.
(b)
Sterile culturette tube or sterile applicator with a culture medium
tube.
(c)
Exam gloves.
(d)
Sterile gloves.
(e)
(f)
Waste receptacle.
(2)
Verify the physician's order.
(3)
Identify and approach the patient, explain what you are going to do,
(4)
Provide adequate lighting and for patient's privacy.
(5)
Wash your hands.
(6)
Position and drape the patient as indicated for the site of the
specimen collection.
(7)
Put on exam gloves.
(8)
Remove patient's wound dressings, if appropriate, and discard.
(9)
Remove exam gloves.
(10)
Open sterile supplies using aseptic technique.
(11)
Apply the sterile gloves.
MD0915
4-17