How well can you identify blood culturing best practices? Take the three-question quiz.
1. The preferred method for obtaining blood cultures is by:
a. peripheral venipuncture
b. peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) or
arterial catheter
c. central venous catheter
2. All adult blood cultures require a total of ____ bottles filled to ____ ml volume.
a. two bottles, 5-6 ml volume
b. four bottles, 8-10 ml volume
c. six bottles, volume is variable based on patient.
3. When obtaining cultures from a patient with a central line, best practice is to (choose all that apply):
a. Refer to the blood culture guideline.
b. Ensure there is a medical reason to salvage the central line.
c. Obtain cultures from multiple ports of a multi–lumen central venous catheter.
How did you do? Check your answers below.
Below is a summary of the key points. The full blood culture guideline includes additional information on how to obtain needed blood cultures with patients who have a central line.The answers to the above are: 1 a, 2b, 3 a and b only.
