Osteomyelitis Basics
Infection of the bone causing inflammation, necrosis, and new bone formation.
What is osteomyelitis?
Which age group is at higher risk for osteomyelitis?
What is older adults
Which organism causes over 50% of osteomyelitis cases?
What is Staphylococcus aureus, often MRSA.
Which type of osteomyelitis presents with fever, chills, and sepsis?
Hematogenous osteomyelitis.
Why is immobilization of the affected extremity essential?
Prevents pain and pathologic fracture.
Name the three major classifications of osteomyelitis.
What is Hematogenous, contiguous-focus, and osteomyelitis with vascular insufficiency.
Name two chronic illnesses that increase osteomyelitis risk.
What is Diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis.
What happens to bone blood supply 2–3 days after infection begins?
What is Thrombosis leads to ischemia and bone necrosis.
What pain description is classic for acute osteomyelitis?
Constant, pulsating pain worsened by movement.
Which nursing action best prevents osteomyelitis after surgery?
Strict aseptic wound care.
Which type of osteomyelitis is most common in patients with diabetes?
What is Osteomyelitis with vascular insufficiency, commonly affecting the feet.
Which lifestyle factor significantly increases hematogenous osteomyelitis risk?
What is IV drug use.
Why don’t bone abscesses collapse and heal like soft tissue abscesses?
What is Sequestrum does not liquefy or drain.
Which lab values are typically elevated in acute osteomyelitis?
WBC count and ESR.
Most common sites of bone metastasis?
Spine, pelvis, femur, humerus, skull.
Why does osteomyelitis often become chronic?
Dead bone (sequestrum) remains and cannot be reabsorbed, allowing recurrent infection.
Why are patients with diabetes at increased risk for osteomyelitis?
What is Poor circulation, impaired immune response, and poor glycemic control.
What structure allows infection to persist for years in chronic osteomyelitis?
Chronically infected sequestrum.
Which imaging modality helps diagnose osteomyelitis early?
MRI or radioisotope bone scan.
Which lab abnormality signals bone metastasis and is life-threatening?
Hypercalcemia.
What term describes the new bone that forms around dead bone tissue?
What is Involucrum.
A diabetic foot ulcer larger than what size is highly suspicious for osteomyelitis?
What is Greater than 2 cm.
Which two gram-negative organisms are common causes besides staph?
Pseudomonas and Klebsiella species.
Why are sinus tract cultures unreliable in chronic osteomyelitis?
They do not accurately reflect organisms in bone tissue.
What nursing diagnosis is highest priority in acute osteomyelitis?
Risk for infection / Acute pain.