Wound Infections for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)

Wound Infections

Definition/Etiology:

• Wound – “an injury to the body (as from violence, accident, or surgery) that typically involves laceration or breaking of a membrane (such as the skin) and usually damage to underlying tissues”
• Infection – “the state produced by the establishment of one or more pathogenic agents (such as a bacteria, protozoans, or viruses) in or on the body of a suitable host”

Pathophysiology:

Cut or break in the skin that allows bacteria to enter and manifest causing infection to the new and damaged tissue

Clinical Presentation:

Erythema around the wound bed

Fever

Drainage 

• Serous drainage = thin/clear
• Sanguineous = thicker/bloody
• Serosanguinous = mix of both. Pink. 
• Purulent = thick/milky

Collaborative Management:

• Wound culture
• Labs 
• Antibiotics (oral vs IV)
• Pain Management
• Tdap UTD?

Evaluation | Patient Monitoring | Education:

• Skin marker around the are of erythema to monitor
• Educate on competing full course of antibiotics 
• Keep area clean and dry
• Educate on signs of continuing or worsening infection

Linchpins: (Key Points)

• Drainage tells a story
• Wound Culture
• Antibiotics