During data collection, a surgical patient's great toe demonstrates warmth, redness, swelling, and minimal drainage. The nurse would recognize these symptoms as indicative of which condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of warmth, redness, swelling, and minimal drainage are all indicative of a local infection, which is an infection that is confined to a specific area of the body rather than spreading throughout the body (systemic infection) or causing more generalized symptoms of infection. While bacterial colonization could lead to an infection, these symptoms suggest that an actual infection is present.

During Data Collection, a Surgical Patient's Great Toe Demonstrates Warmth