Problem: Shenya Jones arrives at the office with swelling and a red pustule on her face. She states the problem started two days ago as a small pimple near her nose. It became irritated, then became extremely swollen and painful overnight. This morning, there was yellow drainage at the site and the swelling has increased. The area of drainage is approximately 1 cm in diameter. The upper lip, side of the face, and nose are all swollen. She rates the pain in her face as 7 out of 10.
The physician thinks the condition may be impetigo or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of skin infection that is resistant to the common antibiotics used to treat it. Dr. Williams will culture the wound to find out what type of microorganisms are present and what specific antibiotics could be used to treat the infection.
1. What aseptic technique practices would be most important with this patient?
2. Whom do these aseptic technique practices protect?
3. Why is it important that Dr. Williams do a wound culture?