cellulitis

Question 1

CELLULITIS

Answer 1

• acute bacterial infection of dermis and underlying connective tissue
• usually occurs due to trauma or break in the skin
• primary symptom is inflammation (redness, swelling, edema, pain)

Question 2

PATHO

Answer 2

• break in the skin allows portal of entry to microbes

- most common bacteria are staph aureus, and streptococcus

Question 3

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Answer 3

• fever, chills, malaise, local lymph involvement
• erythema, pain, warmth, swelling, edema, at the site
• wound generally irregular in shape with defined borders
• elevated WBC count (monitor for low WBC body is failing to fight infection)
• lymphadenopathy (tender lymph nodes)

Question 4

WHO IS MOST AT RISK

Answer 4

-elderly (thinner skin, poor temp control, less adipose tissue)

• immune-compromised
• homeless
• military
• prisons
• kids (active contact sports

Question 5

TREATMENT

Answer 5

-rest, elevation of extremity, warm compresses,
(decreases swelling, edema, erythema

• wet to dry dressings if needed
• oral,topical, or Iv antibiotics
  (IV in severe cases to prevent sepsis( vasotrassen)

Question 6

NURSING CARE

Answer 6

• make sure wound culture done before initiation of antibiotics
• may start on broad spectrum antibiotics before culture results are obtained
• afterwards, more targeted antibiotics
• monitor levels (peaks, troughs with some meds such as vancomycin)

Question 7

NURSING IMPLICATIONS

Answer 7

-impaired skin intergrity, impaired comfort, knowledge deficit

GOALS
-high protein diet, elevate extremities, clean and dry site