Which admission action should be performed first for suspected osteomyelitis with systemic symptoms?

Which admission action should be performed first for suspected osteomyelitis with systemic symptoms?

• A. Perform sterile wound care to the lower leg
• B. Start IV antibiotics
• C. Place client on bedrest with left leg elevated
• D. Draw blood for serial cultures and labs

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is priority of comfort and protection of a limb suspected to have osteomyelitis with systemic symptoms. Immobilizing the affected leg and keeping it elevated helps reduce pain and edema, lowers stress on the infected bone, and limits movements that could worsen tissue irritation or spread. Elevation improves venous return, aiding swelling control, which makes it safer to perform subsequent steps like obtaining labs and starting therapy.

After stabilizing the limb, the next steps would include drawing blood for cultures and labs to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic therapy, with antibiotics typically started after cultures are drawn. Sterile wound care is important, but it’s not the immediate prelude to stabilization.