Cellulitis
Cellulitis ( 15 Questions)
A nurse is assessing a patient with localized redness, warmth, and swelling in the lower limb. The patient reports pain and tenderness at the affected site.
Which nursing intervention is appropriate for this patient?
Administering anticoagulant medication is not appropriate for a patient with localized redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and tenderness in the lower limb.
These symptoms suggest a potential inflammatory or infectious process, not a blood clot.
Anticoagulants are used to prevent or treat blood clots, and there is no indication for their use based on the presented symptoms.
Applying cold compresses to the affected area is an appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with localized redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and tenderness.
These symptoms are indicative of inflammation or infection, and cold compresses can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and provide comfort to the patient.
Encouraging the patient to ambulate frequently may not be appropriate at this stage.
Ambulation is generally encouraged to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients.
However, in the presence of localized redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and tenderness, it is essential to identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment and rest before promoting ambulation.
Administering acetaminophen for pain relief is a reasonable option, but it addresses only the symptom (pain) and not the underlying cause of the patient's condition.
While pain management is important for patient comfort, it should be combined with interventions that directly address the inflammation or infection responsible for the symptoms.
Therefore, choice B (cold compresses) is a more appropriate initial intervention.
Choice A rationale:
Administering anticoagulant medication is not appropriate for a patient with localized redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and tenderness in the lower limb.
These symptoms suggest a potential inflammatory or infectious process, not a blood clot.
Anticoagulants are used to prevent or treat blood clots, and there is no indication for their use based on the presented symptoms.
Choice B rationale:
Applying cold compresses to the affected area is an appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with localized redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and tenderness.
These symptoms are indicative of inflammation or infection, and cold compresses can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and provide comfort to the patient.
Choice C rationale:
Encouraging the patient to ambulate frequently may not be appropriate at this stage.
Ambulation is generally encouraged to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients.
However, in the presence of localized redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and tenderness, it is essential to identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment and rest before promoting ambulation.
Choice D rationale:
Administering acetaminophen for pain relief is a reasonable option, but it addresses only the symptom (pain) and not the underlying cause of the patient's condition.
While pain management is important for patient comfort, it should be combined with interventions that directly address the inflammation or infection responsible for the symptoms.
Therefore, choice B (cold compresses) is a more appropriate initial intervention.