Reference no: EM133226870

Question - Susie Price is a 78 year old retiree. Over the last several months, she has had increased episodes of a burning sensation in the mid-epigastrium and back. The pain subsides after eating. Based upon her history, her GP orders an endoscopy that reveals several peptic ulcers. The week following her diagnosis Susie was awake all night with severe pain. She calls her GP in the morning, who asks her to present to the Emergency Department (ED) due to the level of pain. Her partner drives her to their nearest ED for review.

Six months after the peptic ulcer diagnosis, Susie tripped and fell onto a broken bottle in a supermarket carpark and required surgery after the 7cm right lower leg wound became infected with staphylococcus and was debrided. One week after her discharge home, Susie is diagnosed with osteomyelitis. Her right lower leg is warm to touch and oedematous and she states that the extremity has a constant pulsating pain that increases with any movement of the leg. Her Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and leukocyte rates are elevated. She is admitted to the orthopaedic ward for ongoing management.

1) Discuss the pathophysiology of osteomyelitis as it relates to the symptoms Susie is experiencing.

2) What medical and nursing interventions should the care team provide the patient and why? Support your management ideas with best practice evidence.