High School

The client comes to the emergency department complaining of pain in the left lower leg following a puncture wound from a nail in a board. The left lower leg is reddened with streaks, edematous, and hot to the touch, and the client has a temperature of 100.8 degrees F. Which condition would the nurse suspect the client is experiencing?

A. Cellulitis
B. Lyme disease
C. Impetigo
D. Deep vein thrombosis

Answer :

Final answer:

The client's presenting symptoms - pain, redness with streaks, swelling, heat over the lower leg, and fever following a puncture wound - suggest a diagnosis of cellulitis (Option A).

Explanation:

In the given scenario, the client's symptoms suggest that they may be suffering from cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that can occur when bacteria enter through a break in the skin. The wound from the nail could have provided an entry point for bacteria to infiltrate and cause an infection. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the affected area, all symptoms exhibited by the client. Furthermore, the localized fever suggests an active infectious process.

While Lyme disease, impetigo, and deep vein thrombosis can also present with similar symptoms like pain, redness, and swelling, the progression of the client's symptoms and the fact that they began following a puncture wound strongly suggest cellulitis. Lyme disease usually has a characteristic 'bull's eye' rash, impetigo is a superficial skin infection causing sores and blisters, and deep vein thrombosis often occurs without an inciting incident and is often associated with risk factors such as immobility or underlying clotting disorders.

Thus, the correct option is A.

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