STUDENTS: Megan Lucey, Lucy Adams, Logan DeSanto

ADVISOR: Dr. Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that affects the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue. This infection occurs when bacteria enter the dermis through an abrasion or ulceration. There are an estimated 700,000 cases of cellulitis in the U.S. annually. The area affected by cellulitis will present with erythema, pain, and swelling. Cellulitis most often occurs on the legs and feet, but can also occur in other areas. Risk factors for cellulitis include being overweight and having edema. Nurses have an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cellulitis. Before appropriate treatment can begin, cellulitis must be accurately diagnosed. Cellulitis is commonly misdiagnosed and mistaken for other conditions such as eczema, lymphoedema, or lipodermatosclerosis. A misdiagnosis can result in unnecessary antibiotic therapy. It is important that nurses are aware of the presentation of cellulitis, so that the disease is properly diagnosed. In order to address the issues surrounding diagnosis and treatment of cellulitis, a case study was created, and a literature review was conducted to gather scholarly articles to determine the best practices and barriers for caring for a patient with cellulitis. The best practices include a careful medical history and physical examination, pain relief efforts, antibiotic administration, proper wound care, and preventative measures to prevent reoccurrence. Barriers to caring for a patient with cellulitis include inaccurate diagnosis, inadequate cellulitis prevention, and poor patient participation in the treatment plan. Using the case study and recommended best practices, nurses can provide high quality care to patients with cellulitis