Nursing Cellulitis Case Studies

26 year old Native American female admitted with the diagnosis of Cellulitis. Her chief complaint of fever and vomiting that started at 1600 on 11/2/2016 with pain, swelling and redness in the right and left forearm. Patient reported shooting up Opana and using cocaine in the last 12 hours. Patient cleans her needles with Clorox and believes she may have injected Clorox into her right forearm. She also reports pain in the left forearm as well. The patient has no known drug allergy, no past medical history, but does have past drug use. Etiology and Pathophysiology
Cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection of the skin and the tissue under the skin. It can be life threatening if not treated. Cellulitis
My patient injected Opana and possible Clorox. The intravenous drugs use increase her chances of getting cellulitis. The injury to her skin comes from the needle enter the skin and leaving opening for the bacteria to enter. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulitis/basics/preparing-for-your-appointment/con-20023471 Mayo clinic
She is single and lives with her sister and friend. She does not have transportation. Her educational level is 9th grade. The impact of this disease for the patient can be she has no positive support system. Patient stated “sister and friend also does drugs with her.” She lives in an environment that promotes drug use. She may benefit from an inpatient drug treatment center if she is willing to go. She does not have transportation to go to cocaine anonymous (CA), marijuana anonymous, and narcotics anonymous (NA). She does not have good coping skills. She copes with stress my using drugs and crying. Her drug use is what caused her cellulitis. She has not insurance and no ways of paying her hospital bills because she is unemployed. She may be less likely to get help for her drug use and health care