Lesson Objective for Nursing Care Plan for Cellulitis

What is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a skin infection that happens when bacteria, usually through a cut or crack in your skin, get inside and start to spread. It’s like if you had a small hole in a wall, and water got in and started to make the area soggy and damaged.

How Does it Look?

The skin where the bacteria have entered gets red, swollen, and painful. Sometimes it can feel warm and look like it’s spreading.

Where Can It Happen?

It usually occurs on the legs, but it can happen on any part of the body.

Symptoms:

• Red, swollen, and tender area on the skin.
• Might feel warm and look like a rash.
• Some people also get a fever or feel tired.

Upon completion of this care plan, nursing students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology of Cellulitis, including the role of bacterial infection and its impact on the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
• Conduct a thorough nursing assessment of a patient with Cellulitis, identifying risk factors, signs, and symptoms, and differentiating cellulitis from other skin conditions.
• Formulate and prioritize nursing diagnoses based on the individualized needs of the patient, addressing issues such as impaired skin integrity, pain, and potential complications.
• Develop evidence-based nursing interventions to manage Cellulitis, including antibiotic therapy, wound care, and pain management.
• Implement effective communication strategies to educate patients on preventive measures, self-care, and the importance of completing prescribed medications.
• Collaborate with the healthcare team to monitor the patient’s response to treatment, assess for complications, and ensure continuity of care.

Pathophysiology of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, typically caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the pathophysiological processes involved:

• Bacterial Entry:
  • Break in Skin Barrier: Cellulitis usually begins with a break or breach in the skin barrier, providing an entry point for bacteria.
  • Trauma or Skin Conditions: Factors such as cuts, abrasions, insect bites, surgical wounds, or pre-existing skin conditions increase the risk of bacterial entry.
• Bacterial Proliferation:
  • Subcutaneous Tissues: Bacteria, commonly Streptococcus or Staphylococcus species, rapidly multiply in the subcutaneous tissues.
  • Inflammatory Response: The presence of bacteria triggers an inflammatory response characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.
• Inflammatory Response:
  • Chemical Mediators: In response to bacterial invasion, chemical mediators such as cytokines and prostaglandins are released.
  • Vasodilation and Increased Permeability: Blood vessels dilate, and permeability increases, leading to the characteristic signs of inflammation.
• Immune System Activation:
  • Neutrophil Infiltration: White blood cells, particularly neutrophils, migrate to the infected area to phagocytize bacteria.
  • Formation of Abscess: In severe cases, a collection of pus (abscess) may form as the immune system attempts to contain and eliminate the infection.
• Lymphatic Involvement:
  • Lymphatic Drainage: Bacterial toxins and debris may enter the lymphatic vessels, causing lymphangitis and regional lymphadenopathy.
  • Spread of Infection: If untreated, cellulitis can spread along lymphatic channels, potentially leading to systemic complications.

Etiology of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is typically caused by bacterial infection, with the most common pathogens being Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria. Several factors contribute to the development of cellulitis:

• Break in the Skin Barrier:
  • Cuts and Abrasions: Cellulitis often starts with a break or breach in the skin, such as cuts, abrasions, or wounds.
  • Insect Bites: Bites from insects, spiders, or other arthropods can introduce bacteria into the skin.
• Skin Conditions:
  • Eczema and Dermatitis: Pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis, can compromise the skin barrier and increase susceptibility.
  • Athlete’s Foot: Fungal infections like athlete’s foot can create openings for bacteria to enter.
• Wound Care Practices:
  • Poor Wound Hygiene: Inadequate wound cleaning and poor hygiene practices can contribute to bacterial colonization and infection.
  • Delay in Treatment: Delayed treatment of wounds or injuries increases the risk of bacterial invasion.
• Immunocompromised States:
  • Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are at higher risk due to impaired immune function and compromised circulation.
  • Immunosuppression: Conditions or treatments that weaken the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressive medications, increase susceptibility.
• Invasive Medical Procedures:
  • Surgery: Surgical procedures, especially if there is a breach in sterile technique, can introduce bacteria.
  • Catheter Insertion: The placement of catheters or medical devices can create entry points for bacteria.
• Lymphatic Obstruction:
  • Lymphedema: Impaired lymphatic drainage, as seen in conditions like lymphedema, can predispose individuals to cellulitis.
  • Filariasis: In regions where filariasis is endemic, parasitic infections can lead to lymphatic obstruction.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease:
  • Decreased Circulation: Conditions like peripheral vascular disease can compromise blood flow to the extremities, increasing the risk of infection.
  • Venous Stasis: Chronic venous insufficiency can lead to stasis of blood in the lower extremities, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth.

Desired Outcome for Nursing Care Plan for Cellulitis

• Resolution of Infection:
  • Short-Term Goal: Achieve prompt resolution of bacterial infection.
• Pain Management:
  • Short-Term Goal: Alleviate pain associated with cellulitis.
• Preservation of Skin Integrity:
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: Prevent the spread of infection, preserve skin integrity, and minimize tissue damage.
• Prevention of Complications:
  • Intermediate-Term Goal: Prevent the development of complications such as abscess formation or systemic infection.
• Improvement in Lymphatic Drainage:
  • Intermediate-Term Goal: Enhance lymphatic drainage and reduce lymphangitis.

Subjective Data

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Weakness

Objective Data

• Redness (tends to expand)
• Swelling
• Warm to the touch
• Fever/chills
• Red spots
• Blisters
• Skin dimpling

Nursing Assessment for Cellulitis

• History Taking:
  • Obtain a detailed medical history, including any recent skin injuries, cuts, insect bites, or wounds that may have led to the development of cellulitis.
  • Inquire about the onset of symptoms, including the duration and progression of redness, swelling, pain, and warmth in the affected area.
• Identification of Risk Factors:
  • Assess for risk factors contributing to cellulitis, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, immunosuppression, or a history of recurrent skin infections.
  • Inquire about any underlying skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis, and exposure to potential environmental factors.
• Clinical Examination:
  • Perform a thorough physical examination with a focus on the affected area. Assess for signs of cellulitis, including erythema, edema, warmth, and tenderness.
  • Document the size and borders of the affected area and assess for any associated lymphangitis or lymphadenopathy.
• Vital Signs:
  • Monitor vital signs regularly, especially in cases where cellulitis is severe or has the potential for systemic involvement.
  • Pay attention to the presence of fever, as it may indicate systemic spread of infection.
• Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests:
  • Collaborate with healthcare providers to obtain laboratory tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) to assess for leukocytosis and inflammatory markers.
  • Consider imaging studies, such as ultrasound or CT scans, if there is suspicion of abscess formation or deeper tissue involvement.
• Assessment of Pain:
  • Use a pain assessment scale to evaluate the intensity and characteristics of pain associated with cellulitis.
  • Monitor the patient’s response to pain management interventions and adjust as needed.
• Wound Assessment:
  • Document the characteristics of the wound, if present, including size, depth, and any signs of infection (e.g., purulent drainage).
  • Assess the surrounding skin for signs of cellulitis expansion.

Nursing Interventions and Rationales

Evaluation of Cellulitis Care Plan

• Resolution of Infection:
  • Expected Outcome: Complete resolution of cellulitis.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Monitor the affected area for signs of improvement, including reduced erythema, swelling, and pain. Assess laboratory values for normalization of inflammatory markers.
• Pain Management:
  • Expected Outcome: Alleviation of pain associated with cellulitis.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Use pain assessment scales to measure the intensity of pain. Monitor the patient’s verbal reports of pain reduction and the need for analgesics.
• Preservation of Skin Integrity:
  • Expected Outcome: Prevention of cellulitis spread and tissue damage.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Regularly assess the wound site for any signs of worsening cellulitis, necrotizing infections, or the development of abscesses. Document improvements in skin integrity.
• Prevention of Complications:
  • Expected Outcome: Absence of complications such as abscess formation or systemic infection.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Monitor for signs of complications, collaborate with healthcare providers for any necessary interventions, and assess laboratory values for signs of systemic involvement.
• Improvement in Lymphatic Drainage:
  • Expected Outcome: Enhanced lymphatic drainage and reduced lymphangitis.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Assess for improvements in limb movement, decreased swelling, and resolution of signs of lymphangitis. Collaborate with physical therapy if needed.
• Normalization of Laboratory Values:
  • Expected Outcome: Normalization of laboratory values, including white blood cell count and inflammatory markers.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Review laboratory results for trends toward normalization. Collaborate with healthcare providers for follow-up testing.

Content Reviewed

• 9/14/2023 by Jon Haws

References

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15071-cellulitis
• https://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v%3Aproject=medlineplus&v%3Asources=medlineplus-bundle&query=Cellulitis
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370762
• https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/Cellulitis.html