Katie Dennison is an 83-year-old retired school teacher. She was recently seen by her health care provider for removal of a noncancerous skin lesion. Now she suspects that the wound on her arm has...

Katie Dennison is an 83-year-old retired school teacher. She was recently seen by her health care provider for removal of a noncancerous skin lesion. Now she suspects that the wound on her arm has become infected. She has attempted to report this condition to her health care provider. However, due to the holidays she has been unable to reach him. Ms. Dennison presents to a local urgent care center for treatment. The physical examination and diagnostic tests reveal the following findings. Vital signs are temperature, 38°C (100.9°F); pulse, 110 beats/min; respiratory rate, 20 breaths/min; and blood pressure, 108/68 mmHg. The large dressing on her left arm is saturated with dried yellow-green exudates. She states that it is painful to move her left arm and that the pain has limited her range of motion in the affected extremity. She is pale and has “paper thin” fragile skin. Katie reports that she accidentally got the dressing wet while taking a shower. She did not change the dressing because she was not told to do so by her health care provider when the skin lesion was removed. A series of laboratory tests were completed. A sterile dressing was applied to the wound. Ms. Dennison was given an injection of cefazolin (Ancef) and a prescription for antibiotics. She was also instructed to follow up with her health care provider within the next 2 to 3 days.

1. What factors possibly contributed to the wound infection in this patient?

2. What laboratory tests were probably obtained during this visit to the urgent care center?

3. What information should the nurse provide to the patient concerning the antibiotic?

4. Discuss the mechanism of action for cefazolin