Clinical 10: Venepuncture 2

Question 1

Why might blood cultures be needed?

Answer 1

To identify the presence of microorganisms
Septicaemia, meningitis, kiden infection etc
Shows the type of bacteria also fungal infections

Question 2

Ideally when and how should blood culture be taken.

Answer 2

Take as soon as bacteraemia is suspected
Preferably before antibiotic therapy but do not delay antibiotics.
Two sets of paired blood cultures from two different sites an hour apart

Question 3

What happens to blood cultures once they reach the lab?

Answer 3

Culture bottle contain culture media to encourage microbial growth
Will be incubated to allow any potential organisms to multiply
If microbial growth detected, a gram stain is made from blood culture bottle to confirm bacteria and make a preliminary identification
Then further tests for sensitivity and resistance
Can take 48-72 hours to obtain a full sensitivity result from a blood culture sample.

Question 4

What additional documentaion is needed if collecting blood cultures?

Answer 4

Microbiology request form

Question 5

What needle is typically used when collecting blood cultures?

Answer 5

Vacutainer butterfly needle

Question 6

Why is a non-touch aspetic technique important when collecting blood bottles?

Answer 6

Avoid hospital-acquired infections
Avoid false positives - organisms from your skin, patient skin or environment.

Question 7

How should you prepare blood culture collection bottles before taking blood?

Answer 7

Mark 10ml above fluid level to know where to fill to.
Remove lids and clean the top of bottle with alcohol wipe, leave to dry.

Question 9

What is a checklist for a risk assessment after a needlestick injury?

Answer 9

Sharp used or dirty?
uncertainity about patients immunity to Hep B?
Is the source patient known?
Is the source patient strongly suspected to be HIV positive?
Also consider the risk of other blood borne pathogens such as malaria.

Question 10

What is infective endocarditis?

Answer 10

Inflammation of the endocardium, typically affects the heart valves, can be acute, subacute or chronic.
Most cases are caused by S.aureus

Risks: cardiac lesions, predispotiion to infection,
Examination: slin rashes, splenomegaly, new murmumr, conjunctival haemorrhages
Manage: antibiotics or valvular surgery.