Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What is a primary systemic presentation observed in phase 3 of necrotizing fasciitis?

1. Local pain

2. Shock

3. Fever

4. Edema

The correct answer is: Shock

In phase 3 of necrotizing fasciitis, the systemic presentation most commonly observed is shock. This phase is characterized by severe systemic effects due to the rapid progression of the infection and the body’s inflammatory response. Necrotizing fasciitis causes widespread tissue necrosis and can lead to sepsis, where the body’s response to infection becomes dysregulated. As this progresses, vital organs can fail, leading to shock, which is a critical condition marked by a significant drop in blood pressure, inadequate blood flow to organs, and potentially life-threatening consequences. While local pain, fever, and edema are important symptoms and may present at earlier stages or alongside shock, they do not capture the systemic severity of the condition as clearly as shock does. In the context of necrotizing fasciitis, shock indicates a state where the body is overwhelmed by the infection's progression, leading to more critical interventions being necessary, such as fluid resuscitation and immediate surgical intervention.