Infectious Fun
What does it indicate if WBC is high?
WBC >10,000 indicated infection
(normal range 5,000-10,000/mm3)
Bonus: What does it indicate if WBC is <5,000
Nursing interventions for preventing pressure ulcers
turn/change position every 2 hours, foam dressing over bony joints, keep skin dry and moisturize dry skin
What is the test used to diagnose allergic reactions on the skin?
Patch test;
Bonus: if a patient suspects allergic dermatitis, what should they try eliminating to see if it improves?
fabric softeners, trialing different laundry detergent and skin products, look at diet (elimination diet?)
Nursing interventions when you assess a wound is red, warm, swollen, and painful to touch
document findings and notify provider, RICE if possible
Bonus: is this wound inflammed or infected?
priority when treating infections or unknown skin conditions
work with interdisciplinary team to determine underlying cause (ie. viral, bacterial, fungal infections, etc)
What is the risk of an HIV positive mom passing it to baby?
If viral load is DETECTABLE= possible chance of passing it to baby
If viral load is UNDETECTABLE= no chance of passing it to the baby
ART therapy is not teratogenic
*Undetectable=untransmissionable
Nursing interventions for a twisted ankle
rest, ice, elevate on pillows (for example), compression dressing (remember RICE!!)
Nursing interventions/pt edu for decreasing itchiness of skin?
DON't SCRATCH; apply cold wet compresses or take a cold/tepid bath or shower, take antihistamines over the counter or as prescribed
symptoms of a systemic infection
chills, shaking, elevated body temperature, malaise, muscle weakness
types of infections elderly patients are at increased risk for
UTI, pneumonia, skin
What should the nurse consider prior to starting a patient on ART therapy?
Nurse should consider the patient's ability to comply with regiment (they can NOT skip doses and MUST take it as prescribed for treatment to be successful)
best way to prevent transmission of germs and preventing HAI's
wash hands prior to/in between seeing patients, using PPE when indicated, use aseptic technique during indicated procedures
If a patient has allergic dermatitis, what should they try eliminating to see if it improves?
fabric softeners, trialing different laundry detergent and skin products, look at diet trialing an elimination diet
risk factors for infection
advanced age, unvaccinated, chronic illness, more then one comorbidity (i.e. diabetes, etc), traveling recently
What to do when changing a dressing of a deep wound?
Give pain meds 30-60 minutes before starting, use a wet to dry dressing, saturate old dressing in sterile saline 10-15 minutes prior to removing (so it removes easily and doesn't pull up healing tissue
Complications of HIV/AIDS
Kaposi Sarcoma
Wasting syndrome
Candida (Thrush)
Oral hairy leukoplakia
describe what a stage 3 pressure ulcer looks like
full thickness skin loss, (not partial or exposed bone/tendon)
Bonus: describe the other stages of pressure ulcers
sun protection instruction
wear light protective clothing (long sleeves, hat, etc), apply sunscreen regularly and after swimming, avoid direct sun between high UV hours (10am-2pm)
Patient eduction for antibiotic therapy
take antibiotics recommended length of time- do not stop taking doses prematurely if pain resolves. do not double up missed doses, do not take antibiotics that are expired, intended for another patient, and are not prescribed for you.
nursing interventions/pt edu for covid 19 vaccine
cold compresses to the site to promote comfort, rest, light activity and mobility, pain should relieve in a few days (notify provider if it still hurts after a few days).
Lab work goals for patient receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS
CD4+ T cell count above 500 and Viral load undetectable
What is dehiscence?
when the patient's wound opens back up (stitches/sutures come undone). Common with hip and midline abdominal surgeries.
Bonus: what is evisceration? What should the nurse do and not do while waiting for the patient to go down to surgery?
Patient education for corticosteroid cream
wear gloves when applying, apply a thin layer to intact skin prn as prescribed, avoid applying cream to skin folds (use powder form instead). Apply occlusive dressing over cream with psoriatic joints. Avoid corticosteroid cream on the face as this leads to skin breakdown on the face.
The patient's wound is red, warm to touch, edematous, and painful, with copious amounts of purulent exudate. What nursing interventions should be done for this patient?
document assessment findings and report to provider. we suspect this wound is infected. Other orders we will want to make sure we do include obtaining a wound culture prior to starting antibiotic therapy and monitoring the wound for infection (improvement, or getting worse)
Barriers for compliance with ART for HIV
SE (fatigue, nausea, etc), complying with regiment and not skipping doses, expense