Critical Thinking Questions
- What clinical manifestations are present in Ms. G?
Ans. The clinical manifestation present in Ms. G. is inflammation of the left leg. The characteristics of inflammation in the patient are pain, redness and edema of the leg, fever and elevated WBC count.
- What recommendations would you make for continued treatment? Provide a rationale for your recommendations.
Ans. Acetaminophen may be given PRN for controlling the fever. However, it may be administered in the case of high fevers only. Acetaminophen prevents acute swings in temperature and nullifies the cycles of chilling and perspiring. Other nursing interventions for this patient may include provision of adequate fluids and foods to prevent dehydration (or maintenance of IV fluids as ordered by the physician). In case of high fever, the nurse should use cool, circulating air using a fan so as to dissipate heat by convection. The nurse may also sponge bath to enhance heat loss and provide dry clothing to ensure comfort of the patient.
- Identify the muscle groups likely to be affected by Ms. G's condition by referring to "ARC: Anatomy Resource Center."
Ans. The muscles affected by Ms. G’s condition can be tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus.
- 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 a rationale for your answer.
Ans. The subjective and objective data helps the healthcare providers to infer that the patient is having a purulent wound in her leg. It is likely to be venous ulcer and is accompanied by edema. On the basis of the subjective data, the patient must be educated about the maintenance of nutrition and losing of weight. The objective data may be used in the follow-up diagnostic testing. The wound characteristics and extent of edema may be compared between the two visits of the patient. Venous ulcers occur distally as the circulation is compromised; therefore, preventive measures may include exercise and weight loss. Therefore, subjective as well as objective data are important for continuous assessment and treatment plan.
- What factors are present in this situation that could delay wound healing?
Ans. In the present situation, several factors can delay the wound healing such as diabetes, possible circulatory impairment to the legs, increased weight, confinement to bed, infection in the wound and inadequate nutrition (because there is no one to help the patient with meals).
- What precautions are required to prevent delayed wound healing? Explain.
Ans. The wound should be frequently washed with clean water to remove non-viable tissue. It should be kept moist with the help of gauze, hydrocolloids, alginates or hydrogel dressings (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper & Bucher, 2014).
Reference
Lewis, S. L., Dirksen, S. R., Heitkemper, M. M. & Bucher, L. (2014). Study Guide for Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. Missouri: Elsevier/Mosby. Print.
