The nurse is providing care to a patient with Fournier's gangrene. Which of the following would be indicated for this patient?
1. limit pain medication
2. instruct in long-term complications to include urinary incontinence
3. administer tetanus prophylaxis
4. instruct to continue antibiotics until the symptoms disappear
3
Rationale: Treatment for Fournier's gangrene includes wound management, aggressive surgical debridement and administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Along with antibiotic therapy, tetanus prophylaxis is recommended. Adequate pain management is essential as dressing changes are usually very painful therefore the nurse should not limit pain medication. Complications following treatment may include sexual dysfunction related to penile deviation, loss of sensitivity, and pain during erections. Urinary incontinence is not a long-term complication of this infection. The patient should also not be instructed to continue antibiotics until the symptoms disappear but rather to complete the course of antibiotic therapy.
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