Description
The case scenario provided will be used to answer the discussion questions that follow.
Case Scenario
Ms. G., a 23-year-old diabetic, is admitted to the hospital with a cellulitis of her left lower leg. She has been applying heating pads to the leg for the last 48 hours, but the leg has become more painful and she has developed chilling.
Subjective Data
- Complains of pain and heaviness in her leg.
- States she cannot bear weight on her leg and has been in bed for 3 days.
- Lives alone and has not had anyone to help her with meals.
Objective Data
- Round, yellow-red, 2 cm diameter, 1 cm deep, open wound above medial malleolus with moderate amount of thick yellow drainage
- Left leg red from knee to ankle
- Calf measurement on left 3 in > than right
- Temperature: 38.9 degrees C
- Height: 160 cm; Weight: 83.7 kg
Laboratory Results
- WBC 18.3 x 10¹² / L; 80% neutrophils, 12% bands
- Wound culture: Staphylococcus aureus
Critical Thinking Questions
- What clinical manifestations are present in Ms. G and what recommendations would you make for continued treatment? Provide rationale for your recommendations.
- Identify the muscle groups likely to be affected by Ms. G's condition by referring to "ARC: Anatomy Resource Center."
- What is the significance of the subjective and objective data provided with regard to follow-up diagnostic/laboratory testing, education, and future preventative care? Provide rationale for your answer.
- What factors are present in this situation that could delay wound healing, and what precautions are required to prevent delayed wound healing? Explain.
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
1
Pathophysiology
Name
Institution
Date
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The clinical manifestations indicate that Ms. G has a left lower extremity wound
on her leg. The wound in round with 2cm in diameter and 1 cm depth and there is thick
yellow drainage in a moderate amount from the wound. The wound on the leg is red and
swollen, and when measured from the calf location, there is an increase in diameter with
three inches. During the assessment, it was established that Ms. G had a fever and
indicated that the leg was heavy and painful. Tests reported that she had a temperature of
102.02, in addition to chills and it resulted in an increase in the count of white blood
cells.
Based on the clinical manifestations, the left lower extremity wound had been
infected. Laboratory tests indicated that the neutrophils had increased and the immature
bands had also risen, showing that the infection was severe. Before administering the
antibiotic therapy, I would first get blood cultures to helps me identify the specific
antibiotic therapy that would be best for Ms. G. the approach is also beneficial as it has
reduced t...
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