The triage nurse in the ED is assessing a patient who has presented with complaint of pain and swelling in her right lower leg
The patient's pain became much worse last night and appeared along with fever, chills, and sweating. The patient states, "I hit my leg on the car door 4 or 5 days ago and it has been sore ever since." The patient has a history of chronic venous insufficiency. What intervention should the nurse anticipate for this patient?
A) Platelet transfusion to treat thrombocytopenia
B) Warfarin to treat arterial insufficiency
C) Antibiotics to treat cellulitis
D) Heparin IV to treat VTE
Ans: C
Feedback:
Cellulitis is the most common infectious cause of limb swelling. The signs and symptoms include acute onset of swelling, localized redness, and pain; it is frequently associated with systemic signs of fever, chills, and sweating. The patient may be able to identify a trauma that accounts for the source of infection. Thrombocytopenia is a loss or decrease in platelets and increases a patient's risk of bleeding; this problem would not cause these symptoms. Arterial insufficiency would present with ongoing pain related to activity. This patient does not have signs and symptoms of VTE.
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