Bilateral Foot Infection as a Result of Peripheral Vascular Disease

Bydalek, Katherine; Williams, Kimberly A.

doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2008.01.017

« Previous Next »The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Volume 4, Issue 3 , Pages 208-215, March 2008

Bilateral Foot Infection as a Result of Peripheral Vascular Disease

Katherine Bydalek
- Katherine Bydalek, MSN, APRN-BC, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of South Alabama College of Nursing, where she teaches graduate courses in advanced practice nursing. She also practices part-time as a family nurse practitioner at Franklin Primary Health Center and Mobile Infirmary Medical Center Emergency Department in Mobile, Alabama.
Kimberly A. Williams
- Kimberly A. Williams, RN, DNSc, APRN-BC, is an adult health nurse practitioner, adult psychiatric nurse practitioner, and an assistant professor at the University of South Alabama. She holds clinical privileges as a nurse practitioner for the infectious diseases specialist at six hospitals in Mississippi. In conjunction with national ethical standards, these authors report no relationships with business or industry that represent a conflict of interest.

Abstract

This case presentation describes a 37-year-old homeless man with peripheral vascular disease and mixed bacterial and fungal infections of the feet. His management is a challenge because of his homeless status and lack of hygiene. His history includes alcoholism and tobacco addiction, which complicate his plan of care because of the negative affects associated with both. After careful assessment, referral to a dermatologist, education, and treatment, his infections resolved.

Keywords: Bacterial dermal infection , fungal dermal infection , homeless , mixed dermal infections , peripheral vascular disease