Cellulitis Flashcards
What is the primary way you can tell a patient has cellulitis on their lower leg and not a DVT?
They still have good pedal pulses.
What is cellulitis often misdiagnosed for?
thrombophlebitis.
What do you need to do to the patient to see if the infection is spreading or receding?
Mark the patients area from top to bottom
What is the definition of cellulitis?
Acute bacteria infection of the dermis
What are the most common organisms that cause cellulitis?
Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus.
How does cellulitis normally occur?
Normal flora gain entry into dermis through a break in the skin.
What is tinea pedis?
Athletes foot; a fungal infection
What are the risk factors for children getting cellulitis?
Trauma, impetigo, scratching causing skin breakdown.
What are the risk factors for older adults getting cellulitis?
Skin becoming thinner and less elastic, diabetes, and tinea pedis
How do you clean an area with cellulitis?
Warm soapy water and a clean washcloth.
What are the systematic symptoms that a patient would exhibit if they have cellulitis?
- Fever
- Chills
- Malaise (tiredness)
- Regional lymphadenopathy
- Pain
What clinical manifestations occurs to the skin if the patient has cellulitis?
- Erythematous
- Swollen
- Warm, tender
- tight with indefinite borders
- May have vesicles, blisters, and abscesses.
What is a telltale sign a patient with dark skin has cellulitis?
It is warm.
Who are most susceptible to facial cellulitis and where is it located?
Children
Around the eyes and nose.
Why are infants more susceptible to sepsis from a cellulitis infection?
Lack of immune system protection
What are the three diagnostic tests that can be done to prove a cellulitis infection?
- CBC- may show increased WBCs
- Culture of the fluids from the wound
- Blood culture
What do you do when culturing a wound bed?
Clean the wound first.
Roll swab back and fourth on wound bed to get a much culture as possible.
Label swab in patients room.
If a patient has cellulitis what is the most common treatment?
IV antibiotics administered in the hospital
What nonpharmacologic therapy can be administered to a patient with cellulitis?
- Adequate rest
- Elevation of affected area above heart
- Infection control measures
- Hot or cold pack if ordered.
When tracing the boarders of a cellulitis infection what is important to remember?
measure from top to bottom in centimeters, trace it, and document accurately.
What is important to teach a patient with cellulitis?
If you touch it wash your hands.
Why would the nursing diagnosis of impaired skin integrity apply to someone with cellulitis?
It may not be open but it is swollen, red, and warm.
What kind of analgesics are prescribed to a patient with cellulitis?
NSAIDs
What changes should to patient notify their doctor of?
If worsening or spreading, increased fever, increased pain, increased swelling, if area opens.
When the patient goes home what kind of supportive care can they do?
- Warm compress 4 times a day
- Elevation of affected limb
- Bed rest
