Question

Question: Identify 3 specific nursing interventions that are relevant for a patient with a urinary tract infection and lower leg cellulitis. State how and when the intervention is implemented, why the intervention is implemented and expected outcomes related to the intervention.

Answer 1

The urinary system is responsible for providing the route for drainage of urine formed by the kidneys, and these should be fully functional because they damage could easily affect other body systems.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by pathogenic microorganisms in the urinary tract.

The normal urinary tract is sterile above the urethra.

UTIs are infections involving the upper or lower urinary tract and can be uncomplicated or complicated depending on other patient-related conditions.

Nursing care of the patient with UTI focuses on treating the underlying infection and preventing its recurrence.

Nursing Assessment

A history of signs and symptoms related to UTI is obtained from the patient with a suspected UTI.

Assess changes in urinary pattern such as frequency, urgency, or hesitancy.

Assess the patient’s knowledge about antimicrobials and preventive health care measures.

Assess the characteristics of the patient’s urine such as the color, concentration, odor, volume, and cloudiness.

Nursing Interventions

Nurses care for patients with urinary tract infection in all settings.

Relieve pain. Antispasmodic agents may relieve bladder irritability and analgesics and application of heat help relieve pain and spasm.

Fluids. The nurse should encourage the patient to drink liberal amounts of fluids to promote renal blood flow and to flush bacteria from the urinary tract.

Voiding. Encourage frequent voiding every 2 to 3 hours to empty the bladder completely because this can significantly lower urine bacterial counts, reduce urinary stasis, and prevent reinfection.

Irritants. Avoid urinary irritants such as coffee, tea, colas, and alcohol.

Cellulitis spreads rapidly all over the body, yet cannot spread from one person to another.

Nursing Interventions

The care for a patient with cellulitis mainly rests on the antibiotic regimen.

Secure specimen. Obtain specimen from draining wounds as indicated to determine appropriate therapy.

Monitor complications. Observe for complications to monitor progress of wound healing.

Clean the area. Keep the area clean and dry and carefully dress wounds to assist body’s natural process of repair.

Wound care. Use appropriate barrier dressings and wound covering to protect the wound and surrounding tissues.

Create a care plan. Consult with wound specialist as indicated to assist with developing plan of care for potentially serious wounds.