A 10-year-old boy and his mother are being seen in the emergency department (ED) by the triage nurse. The boy was stung by a bee about an hour ago, and the mother tells the nurse that it is very painful, looks swollen, red, and infected
The nurse teaches the mother that:
A) The pain, redness, and swelling are part of the inflammatory process but it is probably too early for an infection.
B) Bee stings frequently cause infection, pain, and swelling and, with treatment, the infection should begin to subside late today.
C) The infection was probably caused by the stinger which may still be in the wound.
D) The mother's assessment is excellent and the ED doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics to fix the problem.
Ans: A
Feedback: Inflammation is not the same as infection. An infectious agent is only one of several agents that may trigger an inflammatory response. An infection only exists when an infectious agent is living, growing, and multiplying in the tissues and is able to overcome the body's normal defenses; one hour is not enough time for the infectious process to take place. Option B is incorrect; although bee stings may cause infection, the signs and symptoms (very painful, looks swollen and red) are the acute inflammatory response. Option C is incorrect; if the stinger was still in the wound, it would be creating inflammation only, not infection. Option D is incorrect; there is no evidence for the nurse to offer that opinion.
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