OB RLE

Case Scenario

1.  What risk factors for infection are present?

The risk factors for women who had a post-cesarean wound infection include
obesity; if the patient is diabetic or has an immunosuppressive disorder like HIV;
Infection of amniotic fluid and fetal membrane during labor; poor prenatal care; lack of
cautionary antibiotics or pre-incision antimicrobial care; excessive blood loss during
labor, delivery and surgery and lastly long labor.
2.  What symptoms of infection are present?
The symptoms of infection include redness at the incision site; swelling of the
incision site; pus discharge from the incision site; severe abdominal pain; pain at the
incision site and gets worse; fever higher than 100.4 o F (38oC); painful urination;
bleeding that contains a large number of clots; foul-smelling vaginal discharge and leg
pain or swelling.
3.  What other assessments should the nurse make that are related to puerperal
infection?
The nurse should monitor temperature, pulse, and respirations and note the
presence of chills or report of anorexia or malaise. Additionally, inspect the perineum
twice daily for redness, edema, ecchymosis, and discharge. Lastly, evaluate the
patient’s pain by using a pain scale.
4.  What treatments will the care provider probably order for the wound infection?
The treatments for wound infection would include draining the infected area and
possible insertion of iodoform gauze packing, this promotes healing and reduces the
risk of rupture to the peritoneal cavity. Administer antibiotics, to combat pathogenic
organisms, helping prevent infection from spreading to surrounding tissue and
bloodstream.

References: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/post-cesarean-wound-infection#treatment

https://www.rnpedia.com/nursing-notes/maternal-and-child-nursing-notes/puerperal-infection/