Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Following a cat bite, what is the most appropriate action for the nurse practitioner to take?

1. Clean the wound and apply topical antibiotic

2. No need for treatment since the wound is clean

3. Administer a Tdap booster vaccine

4. Clean the wound and prescribe Augmentin

The correct answer is: Clean the wound and prescribe Augmentin

In the case of a cat bite, the most appropriate action is to clean the wound and prescribe Augmentin. Cat bites pose a significant risk for infection due to the presence of bacteria in the saliva of cats, most notably *Pasteurella multocida*. This bacterium can lead to serious infections if not appropriately managed. Cleaning the wound is a critical first step to minimize the risk of infection. However, due to the high likelihood of bacterial infection associated with cat bites, simply cleaning and applying a topical antibiotic is generally insufficient. Augmentin, which is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate, provides a broad spectrum of coverage against the bacteria typically found in animal bites, including *Pasteurella*, and offers protection against resistance that could occur with just amoxicillin or a topical agent. While it’s important to assess the needs for tetanus prophylaxis (as indicated in the options related to Tdap), the necessity of a tetanus booster depends on the patient's immunization history and the nature of the wound, not specifically the fact that it's a cat bite. Therefore, the best practice is to ensure appropriate systemic treatment through the prescription of Augmentin alongside adequate wound care.