Case Study

Case Study

The case scenario provided will be used to answer the discussion questions that follow.

Case Scenario

Ms. G., a 23-year-old diabetic, is admitted to the hospital with a cellulitis of her left lower leg. She has been applying heating pads to the leg for the last 48 hours, but the leg has become more painful and she has developed chilling.

Subjective Data

• Complains of pain and heaviness in her leg.
• States she cannot bear weight on her leg and has been in bed for 3 days.
• Lives alone and has not had anyone to help her with meals.

Objective Data

• Round, yellow-red, 2 cm diameter, 1 cm deep, open wound above medial malleolus with moderate amount of thick yellow drainage
• Left leg red from knee to ankle
• Calf measurement on left 3 in > than right
• Temperature: 38.9 degrees C
• Height: 160 cm; Weight: 83.7 kg

Laboratory Results

• WBC 18.3 x 10¹² / L; 80% neutrophils, 12% bands
• Wound culture: Staphylococcus aureus

Critical Thinking Questions

1. What clinical manifestations are present in Ms. G and what recommendations would you make for continued treatment? Provide rationale for your recommendations.
2. Identify the muscle groups likely to be affected by Ms. G’s condition by referring to “ARC: Anatomy Resource Center.”
3. 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 rationale for your answer.
4. What factors are present in this situation that could delay wound healing, and what precautions are required to prevent delayed wound healing? Explain.

Answer preview……….

1. What clinical manifestations are present in Ms. G and what recommendations would you make for continued treatment? Provide rationale for your recommendations.

In Ms. G case, the clinical manifestations are characteristic of cellulitis and edema. She is unable to lift her leg weight because of leg swelling. Improper blood circulation causes the swelling in the lower leg. Insufficient blood flow is due to the diabetic condition of the patient. High blood sugars may cause capillaries to leak, and the blood flows to the extracellular space to occur causing the swelling. Ms. G has a bacterial infection (Cellulitis) that is manifested by yellow discharge from the wounds. The leg is also swollen and tender and is very painful. The elevated white blood cells counts and positive confirmation of Staphylococcus aureus in the culture are indicative of cellulitis caused by bacterial infection…

 APA 700 words