Question

Your patient is a 52 year old male who is being admitted for a possible deep joint infection following a total knee arthroplasty two weeks ago.   

1. what are your primary concerns for this patient and what assessments and intervention would be associatedd with your concerns, and why?

2. what do you anticipate the patients home medications prior to admission might be, and why?

3. what medications do you anticipate the health care provider would prescribe while the patient is in the hospital, and why?

4. What medications do you anticipate the health care provider prescribing for the patients discharge, and why?

Answer 1

Total knee arthroplaty is done to restore the function of knee joint.Periprosthetic infection occurs in 1-2% of arthroplaty cases.Postoperative infection can lead to implant failure.

Assess the risk factors of infection such as diabetes, old age, poor nutritional status,obesity and immunosuppressive drugs. Asess for pain, swelling, erythema, fever, chills,fatigue.

Management options

• irrigation/ debridement
• antbiotics suppression
• resection arthroplasty or amputation

ibuprofen or nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs.

tramadol or oxycodone for pain management

cold compress may relive pain

immnosuppressants,steroids can be given.