Which test result should a nurse review to determine if the antibiotic prescribed for the patient will be effective?

Question

Question

Answer 1

Correct Answer: Sensitivity test

Rationale:

A sensitivity test, also known as an antibiotic susceptibility test, is performed to determine the effectiveness of specific antibiotics against bacteria isolated from a patient's sample. This helps in choosing the most effective antibiotic for treatment.
The test involves culturing bacteria from the patient's sample and then exposing the bacteria to various antibiotics to observe which ones inhibit bacterial growth. The results indicate which antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive to, and which ones they are resistant to.

Explanation of Other Options:

Serologic test

Rationale: A serologic test detects the presence of antibodies or antigens in the blood to diagnose infections, immune disorders, and other conditions. It does not provide information on the effectiveness of antibiotics against specific bacteria.

Serum osmolality

Rationale: Serum osmolality measures the concentration of solutes in the blood to assess the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. It is not related to determining the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Sedimentation rate

Rationale: The sedimentation rate, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), measures the rate at which red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. It is a non-specific test used to detect inflammation in the body, and it does not provide information about antibiotic effectiveness.

Conclusion:

Among the given options, the sensitivity test is the appropriate test for determining the effectiveness of an antibiotic prescribed for a patient. The other tests, while useful for different diagnostic purposes, do not provide information on antibiotic susceptibility.