Medical Surgical Nursing

(Tina Sui) #1

  • Caused by a staphylococcal infection.

  • Appear in areas where the skin is thick and inelastic; the back of the neck and the


buttocks are common sites.



  • Purulent secretions, high fever, pain, leukocytosis, and even extension of the infection


to the bloodstream.


Herpes Zoster



  • Caused by the varicella-zoster virus

  • Usually, patients have a history of chickenpox. The virus becomes dormant and lies


inside nerve cells near the brain and spinal cord



  • The viruses become latent, until immunity decrease, then it will become active. They


travel by way of the peripheral nerves to the skin.



  • S & S: painful vesicular eruption (usually on face, neck & thorax). Vesicles contain
    serum, then become purulent.

  • Treatment:

  • Antiviral agents such as acyclovir (Zovirax)

  • Pain is controlled with analgesics
    -? Corticosteroids


Herpes Simplex



  • Orolabial Herpes (fever blisters or cold sores)

  • clusters of grouped vesicles on the lips.

  • The onset is often accompanied by high fever, regional lymphadenopathy, and


generalized malaise.



  • Genital Herpes

  • Minor infections may produce no symptoms

  • Severe infections can cause systemic flulike illness. Lesions appear as grouped


vesicles on the vagina, rectum, or penis.

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