What action should a nurse take when obtaining a wound-drainage specimen for culture?

The most appropriate action when obtaining a wound-drainage specimen for culture is to cleanse the wound with 0.9% sodium chloride before collecting the sample. This step is crucial because it helps to reduce the risk of contamination from surface bacteria that may not be involved in the infection being investigated. By using a sterile saline solution to cleanse the surrounding area, the nurse ensures that the cultures will more accurately reflect the microorganisms present in the wound rather than those potentially introduced from the skin or external environment.

Cleansing the wound in this manner also promotes a more effective culture by allowing for a better representation of the infectious organisms, facilitating appropriate identification and treatment strategies. This practice is aligned with standard protocols in specimen collection to ensure accuracy in microbiological analysis.

Using an alcohol swab to clean the wound is not advisable, as alcohol can kill bacteria present in the wound, thus altering the culture results. Directly swabbing the wound without cleaning it would likely lead to contamination, yielding misleading results. Flushing the wound with saline solution may also wash away viable organisms that are needed for accurate culture results. Therefore, cleansing with 0.9% sodium chloride is the best choice for obtaining a reliable wound-drainage specimen for culture.