Question

The nurse prioritizes the care of four patients. Which patient has a systemic infection?

A. Patient with localized swelling and redness.
B. Patient with a surgical wound draining clear fluid.
C. Patient with an elevated temperature and increased heart rate.
D. Patient with a small abrasion on the forearm.

Answer 1

The patient with an elevated temperature and increased heart rate has a systemic infection. Other patients described have localized or less severe infections that don't show systemic signs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient with a systemic infection is C. Patient with an elevated temperature and increased heart rate. Systemic infections occur when pathogens enter the circulatory system, leading to widespread symptoms such as fever and tachycardia (increased heart rate), as the body mounts an immune response. The description of the other patients suggests localized or less severe infections: A patient with localized swelling and redness, B patient with a surgical wound draining clear fluid, and D. patient with a small abrasion on the forearm don't exhibit the systemic signs that are associated with a widespread infection.