191k views
4 votes
Physician H \& P Stuart Little is a 77-year-old man who presents to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation with a chief complaint of pain and swelling in his right leg. HPI: Patient was in his usual s

User Muffinista
by
7.5k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

A diabetic patient neglected to clean a leg wound immediately, leading to signs of a bacterial infection, like redness, swelling, and fever. Medical attention and antibiotics are essential for treatment and to prevent complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 60-year-old man with type II diabetes presented to the emergency department with symptoms of a leg infection following an injury incurred while gardening. After scraping his leg on blackberry brambles, he didn't immediately clean or treat the wound, which led to increased redness, swelling, warmth, and soreness deep in the muscle over the following two days. Accompanying these symptoms, he developed a fever and stiffness in his leg, and he began to feel weak.

This case is indicative of a bacterial infection, possibly cellulitis, which is common in patients with diabetes due to a decreased immune response. Diabetics are particularly susceptible to infections and may have poorer wound healing capabilities. Immediate medical evaluation and treatment with antibiotics, as well as monitoring for potential complications, are warranted for this patient.

User Nathan English
by
8.3k points