Skin and Wound Infections

Question 1

What is folliculitis?

Answer 1

Infection of a hair follicle
Small amount of surrounding erythema (redness)
No involvement of deeper tissues
Presents as small pustules

Question 2

What is a boil or furuncle?

Answer 2

More extensive follicular infection involving subcutaneous tissues
Boils can be painful, with relief when they burst

Question 3

What is a carbuncle?

Answer 3

Boils spread along the fascial plane and develop numerous sinuses
Staphylococcal infections of thick neck skin
Can be very painful
Can lead to bacteremia

Question 4

What is cellulitis?

Answer 4

Infection spread diffusely through subcutaneous tissue

Question 5

What is Impetigo?

Answer 5

Superficial infection involving only the epidermis and no deep layers.
Commonly around nose or mouth
Inflamed areas with yellow crust

Question 6

What is Erysipelas?

Answer 6

Most common in face of older adults
Painful
Bright red, indurated (hardened) appearance with sharply demarcated border

Question 7

What is Fasciitis?

Answer 7

Extends downward and spreads along the fascia, which can cause large area under the skin to be infected with only one surface lesion present.

Question 8

What is Necrotizing Faciitis?

Answer 8

Develops at site of minor skin injury
Severe pain, redness and swelling develop at site
Lesion becomes necrotic with deep penetration into muscles
Life threatening
Surgical debridement required

Question 9

What bacteria causes Necrotizing Faciitis?

Answer 9

Group A streptococci; occasionally by Groups C or G

Also called spretococcal gangrene

Question 10

What is Myositis?

Answer 10

Infection of the muscle deep to the fascia

Question 11

What is Infectious Gangrene?

Answer 11

Progressive cellulitis

Extensive necrosis of both skin and underlying tissue

Question 12

What is the most common pathogen in surgical wound infections?

Answer 12

Staphylococcal aureus

Question 13

The majority of surgical wound infections arise from:

Answer 13

the patient’s own flora

Result from contamination before or during surgery

Question 14

Name 4 bacteria that may cause surgical site infections that are not a result of normal flora…

Answer 14

Group A streptococci  (from OR team who is heavy shedder)
Staph aureus (from OR team who is heavy shedder)
Enterobactericeae or Pseudomonas (from contaminated water, disinfectants or other liquids that come in contact with the incision)

Question 15

What are the three primary risks of developing surgical wound infection?

Answer 15

1. amount and type of bacteria contamination
2. Condition of the wound at end of sx (e.g bleeding, OTA, necrotic)
3. Patient’s underlying disease