Antibiotic prophylaxis is prescribed for a 2-year-old child with a cardiac malformation who is awaiting corrective surgery. the nurse explains to the child's parents that the antibiotic will prevent what?

The nurse should explain that during surgery, an antibiotic prophylaxis is administered to prevent the incidence of surgical site infection. The use of antibiotic before the procedure is just one of many actions taken to help reduce the rate of wound infections. Furthermore, the initial dose must be given most likely within 30 minutes before incision. Then, the next dose is at one to two half-lives of the antibiotic, which is recommended for the duration of the surgery. Thus, appropriate timing of dose is essential to the effectiveness of the antibiotic.