Question

2. Francesca Christoff, 6 years old, is brought to the clinic by her grandmother because of redness, swelling, and tenderness of her right calf just below her knee. Francesca’s vital signs are T 38.5°C; respirations 21 breaths per minute; pulse 112 beats per minute; blood pressure 107/69. The grandmother reports that Francesca “stubbed” her right great toe and “limped for a day or two” but that she had not injured her knee in any way. (Learning Objective 1)

a. How could the nurse explain to the grandmother that Francesca got the infection in her bone after injuring her toe?

b. What teaching should the nurse do with Francesca and her grandmother on the diagnostic tests that would be ordered?

Francesca is diagnosed with osteomyelitis and admitted to the pediatric unit for intravenous therapy.

c. What nursing interventions would be important to include in Francesca’s care?

Francesca is being discharged home with a central line for administration of intravenous antibiotics at home.

d. What would be important to include in Francesca’s discharge teaching?

Answer 1

a. ANS: The nurse can explain symptoms in the following way ex: deep pain and muscle spasms in the inflammation area and fever are characteristic of bone infection and 80% occur due to an open wound.

b. ANS: Educate them on the purpose of the diagnostic tests which are

1. Blood test: It will show sign of infection due to raised white blood cells

2. Biopsy test: it’s to test which type of pathogen

3. Imaging test: It can reveal any bone damage

c. ANS: According to the given situation the best and important nursing interventions is to treat Francesca with antibiotics.

d. ANS: Francesca’s discharge teaching:

Advise on importance of not skipping any antibiotic dose as it may lead to resistance.