Cellulitis

Question 1

What is the primary way you can tell a patient has cellulitis on their lower leg and not a DVT?

Answer 1

They still have good pedal pulses.

Question 2

What is cellulitis often misdiagnosed for?

Answer 2

thrombophlebitis.

Question 3

What do you need to do to the patient to see if the infection is spreading or receding?

Answer 3

Mark the patients area from top to bottom

Question 4

What is the definition of cellulitis?

Answer 4

Acute bacteria infection of the dermis

Question 5

What are the most common organisms that cause cellulitis?

Answer 5

Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus.

Question 6

How does cellulitis normally occur?

Answer 6

Normal flora gain entry into dermis through a break in the skin.

Question 7

What is tinea pedis?

Answer 7

Athletes foot; a fungal infection

Question 8

What are the risk factors for children getting cellulitis?

Answer 8

Trauma, impetigo, scratching causing skin breakdown.

Question 9

What are the risk factors for older adults getting cellulitis?

Answer 9

Skin becoming thinner and less elastic, diabetes, and tinea pedis

Question 10

How do you clean an area with cellulitis?

Answer 10

Warm soapy water and a clean washcloth.

Question 11

What are the systematic symptoms that a patient would exhibit if they have cellulitis?

Answer 11

• Fever
• Chills
• Malaise (tiredness)
• Regional lymphadenopathy
• Pain

Question 12

What clinical manifestations occurs to the skin if the patient has cellulitis?

Answer 12

• Erythematous
• Swollen
• Warm, tender
• tight with indefinite borders
• May have vesicles, blisters, and abscesses.

Question 13

What is a telltale sign a patient with dark skin has cellulitis?

Answer 13

It is warm.

Question 14

Who are most susceptible to facial cellulitis and where is it located?

Answer 14

Children

Around the eyes and nose.

Question 15

Why are infants more susceptible to sepsis from a cellulitis infection?

Answer 15

Lack of immune system protection

Question 16

What are the three diagnostic tests that can be done to prove a cellulitis infection?

Answer 16

• CBC- may show increased WBCs
• Culture of the fluids from the wound
• Blood culture

Question 17

What do you do when culturing a wound bed?

Answer 17

Clean the wound first.
Roll swab back and fourth on wound bed to get a much culture as possible.
Label swab in patients room.

Question 18

If a patient has cellulitis what is the most common treatment?

Answer 18

IV antibiotics administered in the hospital

Question 19

What nonpharmacologic therapy can be administered to a patient with cellulitis?

Answer 19

• Adequate rest
• Elevation of affected area above heart
• Infection control measures
• Hot or cold pack if ordered.

Question 20

When tracing the boarders of a cellulitis infection what is important to remember?

Answer 20

measure from top to bottom in centimeters, trace it, and document accurately.

Question 21

What is important to teach a patient with cellulitis?

Answer 21

If you touch it wash your hands.

Question 22

Why would the nursing diagnosis of impaired skin integrity apply to someone with cellulitis?

Answer 22

It may not be open but it is swollen, red, and warm.

Question 23

What kind of analgesics are prescribed to a patient with cellulitis?

Answer 23

NSAIDs

Question 24

What changes should to patient notify their doctor of?

Answer 24

If worsening or spreading, increased fever, increased pain, increased swelling, if area opens.

Question 25

When the patient goes home what kind of supportive care can they do?

Answer 25

• Warm compress 4 times a day
• Elevation of affected limb
• Bed rest