Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
The case scenario provided will be used to answer the discussion questions that follow. Case Scenario Ms. G., a 23-year-old diabetic, is admitted to the hospital with a cellulitis of her left lower leg. She has been applying heating pads to the leg for the last 48 hours, but the leg has become more painful and she has developed chilling. Subjective Data • Complains of pain and heaviness in her leg. • States she cannot bear weight on her leg and has been in bed for 3 days. • Lives alone and has not had anyone to help her with meals. Objective Data • Round, yellow-red, 2 cm diameter, 1 cm deep, open wound above medial malleolus with moderate amount of thick yellow drainage • Left leg red from knee to ankle • Calf measurement on left 3 in > than right • Temperature: 38.9 degrees C • Height: 160 cm; Weight: 83.7 kg Laboratory Results • WBC 18.3 x 10¹² / L; 80% neutrophils, 12% bands • Wound culture: Staphylococcus aureus Critical Thinking Questions 1. What clinical manifestations are present in Ms. G and what recommendations would you make for continued treatment? Provide rationale for your recommendations. 2. Identify the muscle groups likely to be affected by Ms. G's condition by referring to "ARC: Anatomy Resource Center." 3. What is the significance of the subjective and objective data provided with regard to follow-up diagnostic/laboratory testing, education, and future preventative care? Provide rationale for your answer. 4. What factors are present in this situation that could delay wound healing, and what precautions are required to prevent delayed wound healing? Explain.
Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
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Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
1 Clinical manifestations and recommendations for continued treatment
Ms. G is a known diabetic who presented with fever, pain and swelling in the left lower leg and inability to bear weight on that leg. To manage her, the treatment will include elevation of the affected leg to reduce edema, use of antibiotic- flucloxacilin to treat the infection, maintain good blood glucose control to ensure fast recovery and use of analgesics for the pain.
2 Muscle groups likely to be affected
The muscle groups likely to be affected by from ankle level to knee level include the superficial muscle of posterior compartment of the leg (gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris), the deep muscle group of posterior compartment (popliteus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, tibialis posterior), and the muscle group of anterior compartment (tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus) (ARC: Anatomy Resource Center)
3 Significance of subjective and...