Saturday, September 02, 2006

#12

12. Strategies to prevent bacterial growth and infection.

ASSESS Recognize the client’s risk for infection
Age, heredity, stress, nutritional status, current med therapy and pre-existing disease
Recognize sign and symptoms of infection
Local - Swelling, redness, pain or tenderness with palpation or movement, heat, loss of function of body part, open wounds
Systemic - fever, increased p&r, malaise, anorexia, enlarged or tender lymph nodes
Lab Data – elevated leukocyte, ESR, - urine, blood, sputum, drainage cultures indicating pos for pathogenic m-orgs

DIAGNOSE Identify risk factors –
NANDA – Risk for Infection
Inadequate primary defense – broken skin, trauma, etc
Inadequate secondary defense – immunosuppression, leukopenia, etc.

PLAN Maintain or restore defenses
Consider appropriate client room location/room mate, diet, hygiene, etc

IMPLEMENT Strategies to prevent infection
use aseptic techniques, hand washing, gloves, no cross contamination, wound maintenance, maintain skin integrity.
Prevent nosocomial infections, Change soiled dressings, dispose of linens appropriately, etc

Kozier Fundamentals
145,641,664-65

2 comments:

Karen said...

I interpreted the question differently. My approach was more along the lines of skin care.
Strategies to prevent bacterial growth and irritation:
a) Prevent injury and irritation by cutting fingernails, avoiding harsh rubbing with towels/washcloths, keep bedsheets wrinkle-free, arrange top linens to prevent undue pressure on toes.
b) Apply lotions or creams with lanolin to dry skin. Limit bathing to once or twice a week because frequent bathing removes skin’s natural oils.
c) After bathing, carefully dry client’s skin because increased bacterial growth and irritation originate from moisture. Particular attention is paid to axillary, groin, beneath breasts, and between toes.
d) Promote cleanliness. Body odors are caused by resident skin bacteria acting on body secretions.
e) Determine skin sensitivity. Factors include: age (infants, young, children, elders experience more sensitivity), nutritional status, allergies.
f) Use appropriate skin care agents as they have selective actions and purposes.

Laarni:)

Danielle Mathias-Lamb said...

hey, I think you're right! I read it as bacterial growth and infection, not irritation. Great catch!