Question

The nurse is concerned that an older patient has an infected foot wound. What did the nurse assess to support this decision?

1) Restlessness
2) Increased heart rate
3) Purulent drainage
4) Sweating and chills
5) Foul smelling wound bed

Answer 1

The nurse may assess indications of infection such as purulent drainage and a foul-smelling wound bed, along with physiological responses like increased heart rate to determine if a patient's wound is infected.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse assessed several indicators to determine that an older patient's foot wound may be infected. These include observable signs such as purulent drainage, which is a common indicator of infection as it suggests the presence of pus. A foul-smelling wound bed often accompanies infections that are progressing and can be caused by bacteria that emit unpleasant odors. These symptoms, alongside restlessness, increased heart rate, sweating, and chills can all support the conclusion that a patient's wound is infected and require immediate medical attention, such as the emergency scenarios described in the clinical focus cases. However, a definitive diagnosis usually requires laboratory analysis of the wound and blood samples to determine the nature and extent of the infection.