osteomyelitis

• Bacterial infection of the bone and soft tissues surrounding the bone
• typically present within a few days to a week of symptom onset
• Common bacterial causes:

  • staphylococcus aureus
  • escherichia coli
  • streptococcus pyogenes
  • haemophilus influenzae
• acquired by bacteria invasion spread via bloodstream
• s/s: pain, difficulty moving the affected area, fever, redness and swelling of the affected area
• test: elevated white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels, positive blood cultures, deep soft tissue swelling on x-ray, changes on ultrasound and CT scan
• nursing interventions

  treatment- 4-6 week antibiotics
• nursing interventions: early treatment can prevent complications of bone destruction and growth arrest
• nursing interventions: child typically refuses to walk and demonstrates decreased ROM in affected limb

  • pain control
  • initially bed rest
  • antipyretics
• nursing interventions: maintain and encourage use of unaffected limbs