What should a nurse perform prior to obtaining a specimen from an indwelling catheter for a client who has sepsis?

Cleaning the tubing port with an antiseptic solution is a crucial step before obtaining a specimen from an indwelling catheter, especially in a client with sepsis. This practice helps to reduce the risk of introducing contaminants that could worsen the patient's condition. Sepsis can lead to severe complications, and maintaining aseptic technique is vital to prevent further infection or complications.

When collecting a specimen, it is essential to ensure that the area around the port is free from bacteria or other pathogens that could compromise the integrity of the sample. Cleaning the port with an antiseptic solution minimizes the risk of contamination from the external environment, ensuring that the specimen obtained reflects the internal condition rather than external sources of infection.

While wearing sterile gloves and providing catheter care are important practices in general care and maintaining hygiene, they do not specifically address the direct contamination risk at the time of specimen collection like cleaning the port does. Elevating the drainage bag above the bladder can lead to backflow of urine, which is not advisable when collecting a specimen, as it can also introduce contaminants.