When should a wound culture be obtained in relation to starting antimicrobial therapy?

• A. After antimicrobial therapy starts
• B. During antimicrobial therapy
• C. Before antimicrobial therapy starts
• D. Never obtain a culture

Answer: (C)

Obtaining a wound culture before antimicrobial therapy starts maximizes the accuracy of the results. Antibiotics can kill or suppress the organisms responsible for the infection, which lowers culture yield and can give misleading information about what once caused the wound and which drugs will be effective. If the patient is stable enough, draw the culture first so you can tailor treatment precisely. If antibiotics must be started immediately because of a severe infection, begin therapy right away but still obtain the culture as soon as possible to preserve diagnostic value.