Module 9.1 Cellulitis

How frequently should the nurse assess the affected site for a patient hospitalized with cellulitis to observe for any change in size or other complications? -Every hour -Every 4 hours -Every 2 hours -Every 6-8 hours

Every 2 hours

The nurse is providing care to an infant admitted for the treatment of meningitis. Which factor in the infant's history most likely contributed to development of meningitis? -Recent hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) -Recent episode of flu -History of jaundice -Recent facial cellulitis

Recent facial cellulitis

A patient with cellulitis asks the nurse what kind of medications they will need to take to treat the condition. Which response by the nurse best addresses this question? -"Cellulitis often resolves on its own without complication, so we may wait and see." -"Cellulitis is a bacterial infection, so you will need to take antibiotics." -"Cellulitis can have viral or bacterial causes; it is hard to say what will be used until we are sure about the cause of your cellulitis." -"Due to the inflammation and potential complications, several types of medications will be required."

"Cellulitis is a bacterial infection, so you will need to take antibiotics."

The nurse is discussing cellulitis prevention with a patient who has diabetes mellitus. Which action should the nurse encourage the patient to carry out regularly to help reduce the risk for cellulitis? -"Closely monitor blood sugar levels." -"Maintain adequate fluid and food intake." -"Exercise for at least 150 minutes two times per week." -"Check skin for signs of injury or infection."

"Check skin for signs of injury or infection."

The nurse is completing an assessment on a child admitted with cellulitis of the right lower leg. The family reports that they recently returned from vacation, and the child developed the symptoms of cellulitis shortly after their return. During the assessment, the nurse notes a small wound on the child's shin. Which question should the nurse ask the parents to provide information to help guide treatment decisions? -"Did the wound bleed much after it happened?" -"Did your child complain of severe pain when this occurred or in the time since?" -"Did you clean the wound when it happened and apply antibiotic ointment?" -"Did this wound occur when your child was swimming in a lake or pond?"

"Did this wound occur when your child was swimming in a lake or pond?"

The nurse preceptor is reviewing assessment data collected by a new graduate who is providing care for an older adult patient diagnosed with cellulitis of the lower left leg. Which statement by the graduate should the preceptor clarify? -"I used a marker to trace along the border so that we can monitor for a change in size." -"The patient also has peripheral neuropathy, so the case of cellulitis is more severe." -"I'm not sure that the patient has cellulitis. There is no apparent wound or skin break." -"I didn't note any lines rad"I used a marker to trace along the border so that we can monitor for a change in size."

"I'm not sure that the patient has cellulitis. There is no apparent wound or skin break."

A patient recently diagnosed with cellulitis asks the nurse for clarification about what it is. Which statement by the nurse provides an accurate description of cellulitis? -"Cellulitis usually occurs on the torso or arms." -"It is a bacterial infection that reflects a systemic response to an injury." -"A diagnosis of cellulitis is made when regional lymph node involvement occurs." -"It is an acute bacterial infection of the dermis and underlying connective tissue."

"It is an acute bacterial infection of the dermis and underlying connective tissue."

The nurse is providing wound care teaching to a patient with cellulitis before discharge. Which statement by the patient would require clarification? -"I should wash the wound with soap and water at least once daily." -"I will set up a way to properly dispose of all contaminated materials from the wound care." -"I will scrub my hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after touching the infected area." -"Once I am home, I should start opening my wound to the air to allow healing."

"Once I am home, I should start opening my wound to the air to allow healing."

The nurse is administering oral antibiotics to a patient with facial cellulitis. The patient asks the nurse about the purpose of the medication. Which response by the nurse is best? -"The medication will get rid of the viruses causing the infection and keep it from causing cellulitis around your eyes." -"The medication will get rid of the bacteria causing the infection and keep it from spreading to your ears." -"The medication will get rid of the bacteria causing the infection and keep it from causing meningitis." -"The medication will get rid of the viruses causing the infection and keep it from spreading to your sinuses.

"The medication will get rid of the bacteria causing the infection and keep it from causing meningitis.

The nurse is discussing the prevention of cellulitis with a patient who has diabetes mellitus and recently experienced cellulitis of the lower leg while gardening. Which information should the nurse include to help the patient prevent another episode of cellulitis? -"Monitor for inflammation and redness around any wounds you may have, and report such signs immediately." -"Wear pads on your knees when you are gardening to help prevent an injury." -"Check your blood sugar routinely and administer insulin as ordered to keep your blood sugar in the normal range." -"Make sure to drink plenty of fluids each day and maintain a balanced diet."

"Wear pads on your knees when you are gardening to help prevent an injury."

A patient being treated for cellulitis develops tachycardia, tachypnea, and low white blood cell count. The patient's daughter asks the nurse what could possibly have happened. Which response by the nurse provides the best response? -"Your mother most likely has septicemia, which sometimes occurs with cellulitis." -"The symptoms indicate that your mother may be developing osteomyelitis. I will contact her healthcare provider." -"Unfortunately, it means that the antibiotic isn't working, and we need to try another." -"These are all symptoms that can accompany cellulitis, but we will keep a close eye on them."

"Your mother most likely has septicemia, which sometimes occurs with cellulitis."

When providing care to a patient with cellulitis, how often should the nurse apply warm compresses to the affected area? -2 times per day -3 times per day -As requested by the patient -4 times per day

4 times per day

A veterinary technician presents with a high fever, tachycardia, chills, and an inflamed region on her arm. She states that her arm became inflamed after she received a dog bite at the veterinary clinic a few days ago. The healthcare provider suspects cellulitis. Which sample does the nurse anticipate collecting to determine if the patient's cellulitis has progressed to septicemia? -Wound scrapings -Wound drainage -Blood -Urine

Blood

The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who presents with cellulitis for which the patient delayed seeking care. Which complication should the nurse consider possible due to the untreated infection? -Preterm labor -Fetal septicemia -Preeclampsia -Low-birth-weight infant

Fetal septicemia

The nurse is caring for a patient admitted for the treatment of cellulitis. Which factor in the patient's assessment information increased the risk for cellulitis? -Diabetes mellitus -Recent use of antibiotics -Smoking -Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Diabetes mellitus

The nurse is providing discharge teaching to the family of an older adult post-treatment for cellulitis of the left lower arm. The nurse should inform the family to contact the healthcare provider when which manifestation occurs? -Temperature over 100oF (37.8oC) -Increased lethargy -Warmth of the cellulitis area -Complaints of gastrointestinal upset

Increased lethargy

An adult is being discharged post-hospitalization for cellulitis. Which teaching point is the highest priority for the nurse to discuss with this patient? -Infection control -Medication compliance -Mobility restrictions -Pain control

Infection control

The nurse caring for a patient with a wound on the lower leg. Which symptom should the nurse consider as a distinctive manifestation in assessing for the presence of cellulitis? -Numbness -Inflammation -Tingling -Elevated white blood count

Inflammation

Due to a higher risk for cellulitis, which patient should be encouraged to check the skin regularly for signs of injury and infection? -Patient with peripheral neuropathy -Patient with frequent episodes of eczema -Patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) -Patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Patient with peripheral neuropathy

A patient with cellulitis covering a large surface area on the lower leg has arrived at the clinic for treatment. Which collaborative intervention should the nurse anticipate from the healthcare provider? -Treatment with oral antibiotics on an outpatient basis -Treatment with topical antibiotics and oral pain relievers at home -Recommendation to return home and keep the affected area elevated -Referral to hospital for systemic antibiotics

Referral to hospital for systemic antibiotics

The nurse is visiting an older adult patient with cellulitis whose daughter is staying to help her until she can care for herself again. Which is the priority nursing diagnosis this patient? -Skin Integrity, Impaired -Family Processes, Interrupted -Infection, Risk for -Fluid Volume: Deficit, Risk for

Skin Integrity, Impaired

The nurse is reviewing the lab results for a patient with cellulitis. Which component of the complete blood count is useful in diagnosing a patient with cellulitis? -White blood cell count -Hematocrit -Red blood cell count -Hemoglobin

White blood cell count

The nurse is teaching a patient with cellulitis about caring for their wound. Which topical product should the nurse recommend for use with uncomplicated wounds to prevent the development of resistant organisms? -Unscented emollient -Antibiotic ointment -White petroleum -Corticosteroid ointment

White petroleum

The nurse is inspecting a wound on the upper arm of a patient. Which presentation should the nurse recognize as being consistent with cellulitis? -Wound that is regular in shape with well-defined borders and patient complaining of feeling tired -Wound that is regular in shape with poorly defined borders and warm to the touch -Wound that is irregular in shape with poorly defined borders and temperature of 99.2°F -Wound that is irregular in shape with well-defined borders and erythema present

Wound that is irregular in shape with well-defined borders and erythema present