Wound infection
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Integumentary / Burns / Woundsmedium priorityneeds review
Wound infection
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Bacterial contamination or impaired healing allows infection in a wound.
- Inflammation and microbial growth can spread locally or systemically.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics by class | Used when infection requires antimicrobial therapy. |
Nursing actions
- Assess redness, warmth, swelling, odor, drainage, pain, fever, and wound edges.
- Use aseptic technique and obtain cultures as ordered before antibiotics when possible.
- Monitor for sepsis signs.
Complications
- Cellulitis
- Abscess
- Sepsis
- Delayed healing
NCLEX cues
- Increasing pain can be infection clue.
- Purulent drainage and fever.
Memory hooks
- Hot, red, swollen, draining wound needs attention.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.