Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation related questions and content

What can the triage nurse teach the mother?

  • A. The pain, redness, and swelling are part of the inflammatory process, but it is probably too early for an infection.
  • B. Bee stings frequently cause infection, pain, and swelling, and, with treatment, the infection should begin to subside late today.
  • C. The infection was probably caused by the stinger, which may still be in the wound.
  • D. The mothers assessment is accurate and the ED doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics to fix the problem.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Cells or tissues of the body may be injured or killed by any agent (physical, chemical, infectious). When this happens, an inflammatory response (or inflammation) naturally occurs in the healthy tissues adjacent to the injury site. Inflammation is not the same as infection. An infectious agent is only one of several agents that may trigger an inflammatory response. Although bee stings may cause infection, the signs and symptoms (very painful, looks swollen and red) result from the acute inflammatory response. If the stinger were still in the wound, it would only be creating inflammation, not infection. Antibiotics are not indicated.