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Wound Care

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176 Nurse to Nurse<br />

— Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 70 to 100 mm/hr<br />

is predictive of osteomyelitis. 14<br />

— X-ray is not the best diagnostic tool<br />

— Bone biopsy is usually definitive<br />

— CT scan or Indium-111-labeled leukocyte scanning is<br />

definitive but costly<br />

— Treatment usually requires 4 to 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy<br />

(may be longer in some cases)<br />

Nursing Alert<br />

Treatment of moderate to severe infections should be<br />

evaluated immediately by a physician.<br />

— Treatment of infection may include:<br />

Systemic oral or intravenous antibiotics<br />

Debridement of necrotic tissue<br />

Incision and drainage, soft tissue/bone/joint resection<br />

Amputation<br />

• Eliminate weight bearing and pressure<br />

— Ideal is total removal of weight on foot and complete bed<br />

rest in recalcitrant wounds<br />

— “Healing” sandals or special shoes<br />

— Total contact casts<br />

— Removable walking casts<br />

• Correct ischemia<br />

— Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (not a substitute for revascularization)<br />

— Physician evaluation for revascularization<br />

• <strong>Wound</strong> care<br />

— Debridement as necessary (sharp or surgical); callus<br />

removal if necessary

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