The case scenario provided will be used to answer the discussion questions that follow. Case...

Question

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

1. What clinical manifestations are present in Ms. G and what recommendations would you make for continued treatment? Provide rationale for your recommendations.

2. Identify the muscle groups likely to be affected by Ms. G's condition by referring to "ARC: Anatomy Resource Center."

3. 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.

4.What factors are present in this situation that could delay wound healing, and what precautions are required to prevent delayed wound healing? Explain.

Robert · Accepted Answer

1. ANS: The clinical manifestation present in Ms. G are redness of the left leg (Erythema), 
edema signified by increased diameter of the left calf, suppuration of thick yellow drainage, and 
increased temperature of 38.9 degrees Celsius. The inflammation is also spreading from the 
ankle-knee and presently the calf region. There is systemic manifestation of fever and elevated 
white blood cell count. There is hence need for recommendation for continued treatment and 
administration of self and family care for the patient (Canadian Diabetes Association, 2008). 
The recommendations for continued treatment of Ms. G would include: optimum glycemic 
control since the presence of infection may lead to increased glucose level which based on the 
rationale that it decreases the resistance to infection. Another intervention is debridement of 
devitalized tissues, treatment of the staphylococcus aureus infection with antibiotics and bed rest 
(Moorman, 2012). Another important approach is to determine whether the infection is limb 
threatening or life threatening. Another recommendation is to test for drug resistance and 
sensitivity of the infection through collecting a specimen from the wound. This would evade the 
risk of (MRSA) methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (Albert, 2012). 
2. ANS: The muscle groups likely to be affected by Ms.G’s condition are the flexor hallucis 
longus, flexor digitorum longus, and the tibialis anterior muscles which attach around the medial 
malleolus. 
3. ANS:

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...

Answer To: The case scenario provided will be used to answer the discussion questions that follow. Case...

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