8.2 Nursing Process in Patients with Infectious Disease

Question 1

Assessment

Answer 1

• Manifestations of diseases differ greatly both between and within diseases
• Some infections have visible symptoms such as rash, erythema or swelling which is often early warning signs of infection

TB/HIV
- These diseases have latency periods where they are asymptomatic
- Diagnostic procedures are used here

Question 2

History

Answer 2

• Do you have a history of infection
• Do you have a cough, is it chronic or acute
• Do you have pain
• Have you had an insect or animal bite
• Sexual history
• Have you traveled

Question 3

Physical Exam

Answer 3

• Must include whole body because infection can occur in any system

Manifestations
- Fever, chills, lymphadenopathy (enlarged), rash.
- Purulent drainage, edema, redness are associated with local infection.

TB/Pneumonia/Influenza
- SOB, cough

• Chronic infection may cause pallor (due to anemia) or significant weight loss

Question 4

Goals of Infection

Answer 4

• Prevention of spreading
• Increased knowledge about treatment and the infection
• Control fever and related discomforts
• Absence of complications

Question 5

Interventions

Answer 5

Prevention of spread
- Handwashing
- Standard precautions
- Recognition of mode of transmission and establishment of transmission based precautions

• Education about the infectious process and prevention of spread
• Assessment of treatment of fever