Which laboratory values should the PN monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of an antibiotic in a client with a respiratory tract infection?

Monitoring sputum culture and white blood cell count is essential in evaluating the effectiveness of an antibiotic for a client with a respiratory tract infection.

The sputum culture provides direct evidence of which bacteria are present in the respiratory system and allows for the identification of specific pathogens. This is crucial because the choice of antibiotic therapy often depends on the sensitivity of the bacteria to certain antibiotics. A follow-up culture can show whether the targeted organism has been eliminated or whether treatment needs to be adjusted due to resistance.

Additionally, the white blood cell count is a valuable indicator of infection. An elevated white blood cell count typically indicates the presence of an infection, and as the antibiotic takes effect, one would expect to see a decrease in this count as the body responds positively to the treatment and the infection subsides.

These two laboratory values together provide a comprehensive picture of both the causative agent of the infection and the body's response to the antibiotic therapy, making them key indicators in assessing treatment efficacy.