Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

Which of the following is an indication for systemic antibiotic therapy?

1. Dry and stable wound

2. Fever

3. Localized redness without pain

4. Wound healing without intervention

The correct answer is: Fever

Fever is a significant clinical sign that may indicate the presence of an underlying infection requiring systemic intervention. When a patient presents with fever, it suggests that the body is responding to a potential infectious process, which could be either localized or systemic in nature. In the context of wound care, the presence of fever may indicate that bacteria have not only colonized the wound but could also be disseminating, leading to systemic infection. Therefore, initiating systemic antibiotic therapy becomes crucial in such situations to effectively manage the infection and prevent further complications. In contrast, a dry and stable wound typically signifies that there is no active infection present, and thus does not warrant systemic antibiotics. Localized redness without pain may suggest an inflammatory response but does not necessarily indicate systemic infection, thereby not justifying the use of systemic antibiotics. Similarly, wound healing without intervention implies that the wound is resolving as expected and does not indicate the need for any additional antimicrobial therapy. In summary, fever is a clear clinical indicator that supports the need for systemic antibiotic therapy to address the potential Infection.