Nursing Care Plans Cellulitis Nursing Care Plan: 5 Sample NANDA-I Care Plans & Interventions
The cellulitis nursing care plan is one of the most common skin-infection care plans you’ll build in nursing school — and one of the easiest to write poorly because the symptoms look so generic. Red. Warm. Swollen. Painful. The trick isn’t memorizing the picture. The trick is knowing what to assess, when to escalate, and which NANDA-I diagnosis to lead with so your plan reflects nursing priorities and not just the textbook list. Let’s make this simple.
This guide gives you a complete cellulitis nursing care plan template — pathophysiology in plain English, a structured assessment that doubles as a sepsis screen, the antibiotics most likely to show up on the NCLEX and at the bedside, five fully built NANDA-I sample care plans, and the patient teaching points that actually prevent recurrence.
Scope note. Educational content for nursing students. Not a substitute for clinical training or facility policy. Always follow provider orders and your institution’s protocols. NANDA-I labels reflect the 2024–2026 (13th) edition — verify your program’s edition.
In this guide
- Cellulitis pathophysiology
- Risk factors and common causes
- Nursing assessment for cellulitis
- Severity classification and when to admit
- Antibiotic therapy for cellulitis
- Necrotizing fasciitis red flags
- Nursing diagnoses for cellulitis — 5 sample care plans
- Patient teaching and discharge education
- Complications of cellulitis
- Frequently asked questions
- Related resources
- References
Cellulitis pathophysiology — what’s actually happening under the skin
Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Bacteria get in through some break in the skin barrier — even a tiny one — set up shop in the deeper layers, and the body’s inflammatory response produces the classic four findings: erythema, warmth, edema, and tenderness.1,2
The two pathogens that drive most cellulitis cases are Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep) — the usual culprit in nonpurulent cellulitis — and Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, common in purulent cellulitis (drainage, abscess, fluctuance).1,2
That purulent-vs-nonpurulent distinction isn’t trivia. It’s the single decision point that drives whether MRSA coverage is needed — and the NCLEX loves it.
Don’t confuse these. Erysipelas is a superficial infection of the upper dermis with sharply demarcated, raised, bright-red borders. Cellulitis sits deeper, and the borders are poorly demarcated. Erysipelas is classically streptococcal; cellulitis can be strep or staph.1,2
For exams, focus on three things: the inflammatory tetrad (red, warm, swollen, tender), the strep vs staph split, and the erysipelas contrast.
Risk factors and common causes
Cellulitis needs a portal of entry. Sometimes it’s obvious — a surgical wound, an IV site, a dog bite, a venous ulcer. Often it’s not, and the most under-recognized portal is interdigital tinea pedis (“athlete’s foot”) in the lower extremity, which is also why you treat the fungus to prevent the bacterial recurrence.1,2
Risk factors to flag in your assessment:
- Diabetes (impaired neutrophil function, microvascular disease)
- Lymphedema (poor lymphatic clearance lets bacteria settle in)
- Chronic venous insufficiency or edema of any cause
- Obesity
- Immunocompromise (chemotherapy, steroids, HIV, transplant)
- Prior cellulitis episode (recurrence rate 8–20% per year)2
- IV drug use
- Tinea pedis with interdigital fissures
- Recent skin trauma, surgical wound, IV/PICC site, insect bite
Lower extremities are by far the most common location.1
Nursing assessment for cellulitis
Your assessment has three jobs: confirm the local picture, screen for systemic spread, and capture the data your cellulitis nursing care plan will hang on. A good assessment is what separates a strong care plan from a generic list of interventions.
Health history (subjective)
- Onset and time-course — “How fast is it spreading?” is the single most useful question; rapid progression is a necrotizing-fasciitis red flag.
- Portal of entry — recent cut, surgical site, bug bite, IV stick, animal exposure, water exposure (saltwater suggests Vibrio; freshwater suggests Aeromonas).1
- Pain, fever, chills. Pain that feels disproportionate to what you see is a red flag, not a comfort issue.
- Prior episodes of cellulitis (drives the inadequate-health-knowledge care plan).
- Comorbidities — diabetes, immunosuppression, vascular disease, lymphedema.
- Allergy history — penicillin and sulfa drugs drive antibiotic selection.
Physical assessment (objective)
Inspect, palpate, document. In that order.
Skin-tone note. Redness can be harder to see on darker skin tones. Assess warmth, edema, tenderness, skin texture change, and any patient-reported change in appearance — not just visible erythema.1,8
- Inspect: redness, swelling, induration, bullae or vesicles, drainage, abscess (fluctuant area), streaks of lymphangitis tracking proximally, skin necrosis or dusky/dark coloration.
- Palpate gently: tenderness, fluctuance (suggests abscess — needs incision and drainage), crepitus (a red flag for gas-forming infection — call the provider), peripheral pulses, capillary refill.
- Mark the border of erythema with a skin-safe marker at the start of every shift and document the time. Spread beyond the marked border is the most objective way to know the patient is failing therapy.1
- Pain scale (0–10) documented every assessment and every PRN.
Sepsis screening (built into vitals)
Uncomplicated localized cellulitis usually isn’t a vital-sign emergency, but cellulitis with systemic signs can progress quickly. Use your facility’s sepsis screen or early-warning score and escalate for the trend, not a specific threshold. Watch for: fever or hypothermia, rapidly rising heart rate, tachypnea, falling blood pressure, altered mental status, oliguria, mottled or ashen skin, rising lactate, or any new organ dysfunction. Do not wait until heart rate hits 130 if the patient looks septic.1,3,8
Cellulitis mimics to consider before committing to a cellulitis diagnosis: stasis dermatitis, chronic venous insufficiency, DVT, gout, contact dermatitis, insect-bite reaction, lipodermatosclerosis, and inflammatory edema. Bilateral lower-leg redness is less typical for cellulitis and should prompt careful reassessment.1
Diagnostics and labs
| Test | Why you’re ordering it |
|---|---|
| CBC with differential | WBC elevation and left shift suggest active infection |
| CRP / ESR | Inflammation trend over time. Don’t judge response on a single value — markers lag. Pain, fever curve, vitals, and erythema regression matter more. |
| Lactate | ≥ 2 mmol/L = sepsis concern; ≥ 4 = severe |
| Blood cultures | For immunocompromised, systemic features, animal bites — positive in < 10% but high-yield when they are1 |
| Wound or abscess culture | Purulent cellulitis only — guides MRSA decisions3 |
| Glucose / A1c | Check glucose in patients with diabetes or suspected hyperglycemia; obtain A1c if clinically indicated or not recently available |
| Ultrasound | If you suspect a hidden abscess (fluctuance equivocal) |
| CT / MRI | Only if you suspect necrotizing infection or deep abscess |
Imaging is usually not needed for uncomplicated cellulitis. Don’t let your patient sit in CT when antibiotics are what they need.
Severity classification and when to admit
The Eron/Dundee classification is a commonly taught severity framework for cellulitis. Many U.S. facilities also use IDSA mild/moderate/severe categories plus a local sepsis-screening tool — your unit’s protocol wins. Severity drives disposition, which drives the priority of every intervention in your cellulitis nursing care plan — so memorize the framework your program teaches.1,3
| Class | Criteria | Disposition |
|---|---|---|
| I | No sepsis, no significant comorbidity | Outpatient PO antibiotics |
| II | ≥ 1 significant comorbidity (DM, vascular disease, venous insufficiency, immunocompromise) but no sepsis | Outpatient, short stay, or OPAT (outpatient IV) |
| III | Sepsis features present (vitals deranged, systemically unwell) | Admit, IV antibiotics |
| IV | Septic shock, necrotizing fasciitis, or life-threatening sepsis | Admit, IV antibiotics, surgical and ID consult |
For exams, the question stem will usually feed you the vitals and comorbidities — your job is to match them to a class and pick the right disposition.
Admit your patient if any of these are true:3
- SIRS or sepsis features (fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, altered mental status)
- Hemodynamic instability
- Failed outpatient therapy (no improvement in 48–72 hours)
- Severe immunocompromise
- Inability to tolerate oral antibiotics
- Suspicion of necrotizing infection
- Rapid spread of erythema
Antibiotic therapy for cellulitis
Antibiotic choice depends on three things: nonpurulent vs purulent, MRSA risk, and severity. Here’s the practical reference table.3,2,1
| Scenario | First-line agent(s) | Typical adult dose | Route | Duration | MRSA coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild nonpurulent (Class I, no MRSA risk) | Cephalexin | 500 mg q6h | PO | 5 days, extend if not improving | No |
| Mild nonpurulent (alt) | Dicloxacillin | 500 mg q6h | PO | 5 days | No |
| Mild nonpurulent (strep-only) | Penicillin V | 500 mg q6h | PO | 5 days | No |
| Penicillin/cephalosporin allergy | Clindamycin | 300–450 mg q6h | PO | 5 days | Partial |
| Purulent cellulitis / abscess | Incision and drainage is primary; add TMP-SMX, doxycycline, or another MRSA-active agent when indicated; add streptococcal coverage if surrounding nonpurulent cellulitis is present or per local protocol | Per order | PO/IV | 5 days if improving; extend if needed | Yes, when MRSA-active agent is used |
| Moderate–severe (Class II–III), admitted, no MRSA risk | Cefazolin | 1–2 g q8h | IV | Switch to PO when improving | No |
| Severe (Class III–IV) or known/suspected MRSA | Vancomycin | 15–20 mg/kg IV q8–12h initially; adjust per pharmacy/facility AUC or serum-level protocol | IV | Until clinically stable, then PO | Yes |
| Sepsis / necrotizing concern | Vancomycin + piperacillin-tazobactam | 4.5 g q6–8h | IV | Per ID | Yes |
Key teaching points:
- Default duration is 5 days if uncomplicated and improving.3 Older “10–14 days” practice is no longer the standard.
- Switch IV to PO once the patient is afebrile, vitals are stable, and the erythema is regressing — usually within 24–72 hours of IV therapy.1
- Vancomycin monitoring: Follow facility/pharmacy protocol. Many hospitals now use AUC-guided monitoring for serious MRSA infections, commonly targeting an AUC/MIC of 400–600 mg·h/L. Troughs may still be ordered in some settings. Monitor serum creatinine, renal function, and infusion reactions throughout therapy.9
- MRSA-coverage nuance: TMP-SMX and doxycycline cover many community MRSA strains but are not reliable stand-alone choices when streptococcal nonpurulent cellulitis is the main concern. Follow your local antibiogram and provider orders.
- Tell every patient: “Finish the full course even if you feel better in two days.”
For the NCLEX, the key clue in a question stem is usually the purulent/abscess signal — if you see fluctuance, drainage, or “abscess drained” in the stem, MRSA coverage is in the answer.
Necrotizing fasciitis red flags — when to call the provider immediately
This is the part students often mix up. Necrotizing fasciitis isn’t “really bad cellulitis.” It’s a surgical emergency that mimics cellulitis early and kills if you wait.
Call the provider — and don’t wait until next rounds — if you see any of these:1,2
- Pain out of proportion to the visible findings (the cardinal sign)
- Rapidly spreading erythema (beyond your marked border in hours, not days)
- Bullae (especially hemorrhagic), skin necrosis, dusky or dark skin discoloration
- Crepitus on palpation (gas in the tissue)
- Systemic toxicity disproportionate to local exam — confusion, hemodynamic instability, severe sepsis
For exam stems, the magic phrase is “pain out of proportion.” When you see it, the answer is “notify the provider immediately and prepare for emergency surgical evaluation,” not “apply warm compresses.”
Nursing diagnoses for cellulitis — 5 sample NANDA-I care plans
These are the five NANDA-I nursing diagnoses for cellulitis that map most directly to acute disease. Problem-focused diagnoses are written in the standard r/t … AEB … format; risk diagnoses list risk factors instead of AEB findings because the problem hasn’t occurred yet. Build a real cellulitis nursing care plan using these as your starting library, then prioritize based on your specific patient. Each sample includes goals, assessments, interventions with rationale, and expected outcomes — the same format your instructor expects on submission.
1. Impaired skin integrity
Nursing diagnosis. Impaired skin integrity r/t bacterial invasion and inflammatory response AEB localized erythema, warmth, edema, tenderness, and disrupted epidermal barrier.
Goals (SMART):
- Erythema border stable or regressing within 48 hours of antibiotic initiation.
- No new bullae, abscess formation, or skin necrosis within 72 hours.
| Assessment / Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Inspect and document the erythema border (measured) each shift | Establishes objective baseline for tracking spread or regression |
| Palpate gently for fluctuance and crepitus | Fluctuance suggests abscess (needs I&D); crepitus suggests gas-forming infection (call provider) |
| Identify and treat portal of entry (e.g., tinea pedis, ulcer) | Without closing the door, recurrence is likely |
| Reassess pain and skin temperature each round | Improving cellulitis becomes cooler and less tender within 48–72 h of effective antibiotic1 |
| Mark the border of erythema with a skin-safe marker at the start of each shift and date it | Most objective measure of treatment response or failure1 |
| Elevate the affected extremity above the level of the heart at rest | Reduces edema and improves lymphatic/venous drainage3 |
| Keep the skin clean and dry; non-occlusive dressing only if drainage | Moist or occluded skin slows healing and traps bacteria |
| Administer prescribed antibiotics on schedule | Time-dependent killing — missed doses prolong illness |
| Treat tinea pedis with topical antifungal if present | Closes the most common portal of entry in lower-extremity cellulitis1 |
Expected outcomes: Erythema border regressing by 48 h, no new skin breakdown, intact wound healing.
Want a deeper dive into the parent diagnosis? See our impaired skin integrity nursing care plan.
2. Acute pain
Nursing diagnosis. Acute pain r/t inflammatory tissue response and tissue edema AEB patient-reported pain rating, guarding, and reluctance to bear weight or move the affected extremity.
Goals:
- Pain ≤ 3/10 within 60 minutes of analgesic administration.
- Patient able to participate in elevation and gentle range of motion without splinting.
| Assessment / Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Pain (PQRST or numeric 0–10) before and 60 min after each analgesic | Documents efficacy; trend over shift |
| Nonverbal pain cues (guarding, grimacing) | Some patients underreport |
| Distinguish inflammatory pain from “pain out of proportion” | The latter is a necrotizing-fasciitis red flag, not a comfort issue |
| Scheduled acetaminophen ± NSAIDs (if renal function permits and provider-approved) | First-line analgesia for inflammatory pain |
| Elevate the extremity and position for comfort | Reduces edema-driven pressure pain |
| Warm compresses may be used for comfort if ordered or allowed by facility policy | Avoid applying heat or cold to areas with impaired sensation, poor perfusion, or fragile skin unless specifically directed |
| Reassure the patient that pain will improve over 48–72 h as antibiotics work | Reduces anxiety; sets realistic expectations |
Expected outcomes: Pain controlled to goal; patient cooperates with elevation and movement.
See also: acute pain nursing care plan.
3. Hyperthermia
Nursing diagnosis. Hyperthermia r/t infectious process AEB temperature ≥ 38°C, skin warm to touch, and tachycardia.
Goals:
- Temperature trending downward within 48 hours of antibiotic initiation.
- No new sepsis features develop.
| Assessment / Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Temperature q4h (or per protocol) and PRN | Fever pattern and trend matter more than a single value |
| HR, RR, BP, SpO₂, mental status, urine output | Early sepsis signs |
| Hydration status and intake/output | Fever increases insensible losses |
| Antipyretic per protocol (commonly acetaminophen) | Symptom control; does not change disease course |
| Hydration — IV or PO depending on tolerance | Fluid losses with fever; supports renal perfusion |
| Environmental cooling (light covers, room temp) | Comfort; avoid shivering, which raises temperature |
| Report immediately any fever ≥ 38.5°C with HR ≥ 130, SBP ≤ 90, RR ≥ 25, or new altered mental status | These cross the threshold into sepsis criteria1 |
Expected outcomes: Afebrile within 48–72 hours, vital signs within parameters, no progression to sepsis.
4. Risk for infection (systemic spread / sepsis)
Nursing diagnosis. Risk for infection r/t broken skin barrier, comorbidities (diabetes, immunocompromise), and venous/lymphatic insufficiency.
Goals:
- No new lymphangitis, abscess, or systemic features.
- Vital signs and lactate within parameters throughout admission.
| Assessment / Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Marked border tracking each shift | Objective measure of spread |
| Lymphangitic streaking proximal to lesion | Indicates regional spread along lymphatics |
| Vitals + lactate trend | Captures movement toward sepsis |
| Glucose (q6h in diabetics) | Hyperglycemia impairs immune response |
| Administer antibiotics on schedule, no missed doses | Time-above-MIC drives efficacy |
| Aseptic technique with any wound contact | Prevents superinfection or transmission |
| Hand hygiene before and after every patient contact (and teach the family the same) | Single most effective infection-control measure |
| Mark the border each shift and escalate spread beyond the line | Triggers reassessment of antibiotic choice and MRSA coverage |
| Educate the patient and family on early sepsis signs (confusion, lightheadedness, racing heart) | Empowers escalation after discharge |
Expected outcomes: No progression to sepsis, no new sites of infection, completion of antibiotic course.
Related care plans: risk for infection nursing care plan · sepsis nursing care plan.
5. Inadequate Health Knowledge (cellulitis management and recurrence prevention)
Nursing diagnosis. Inadequate Health Knowledge r/t unfamiliarity with cellulitis treatment, recurrence prevention, and return precautions AEB patient questions, inability to teach back the antibiotic schedule, or misunderstanding of skin/foot care.
Note: Many school resources still refer to this as “Deficient Knowledge” or “Knowledge Deficit,” so check your instructor’s preferred NANDA-I edition.
Goals:
- Patient verbalizes (teach-back) the six discharge teaching points before discharge.
- Patient identifies two return-precaution signs.
| Assessment / Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Prior cellulitis episodes | Recurrence rate is 8–20% per year — past episodes mean teaching needs to be more concrete2 |
| Health literacy and learning preference | Drives format (verbal, written, video) |
| Social support and ability to follow up | Influences disposition decisions |
| Teach the full antibiotic course — finish it even if symptoms improve | Stopping early drives resistance and recurrence |
| Teach treatment of tinea pedis (between toes, daily drying, topical antifungal if present) | Closes the most common portal of entry1 |
| Teach daily skin inspection — especially feet in diabetics | Catches recurrence early |
| Glycemic control review with diabetic patients | Hyperglycemia raises infection risk |
| Teach elevation at rest and avoidance of prolonged dependency of the affected limb | Reduces edema and recurrence risk |
| Teach return precautions — see the patient teaching block below | Empowers timely escalation |
Expected outcomes: Patient demonstrates teach-back on all six points, identifies return precautions, leaves with written discharge instructions.
Patient teaching and discharge education
Send every patient home with these six teaching points (and confirm with teach-back, not just a head nod):
- Finish the full antibiotic course. Even if you feel better in two days. Stopping early is how cellulitis comes back.
- Elevate the affected limb above your heart when you’re resting, as directed, until swelling improves.
- Treat the skin between your toes. If it’s itchy, scaly, or cracked, it could be athlete’s foot — and it’s the most common doorway for cellulitis to come back in. Use the topical antifungal your provider recommends.
- Inspect your skin daily. Especially feet if you have diabetes. Look for new redness, cuts, or blisters.
- Control your blood sugar. High glucose impairs the body’s ability to fight infection.
- Come back if any of these happen — return precautions: redness spreads beyond the marked area; fever ≥ 38°C (100.4°F) or chills; severe pain out of proportion to what you see; dark, blistering, or blackened skin; lightheadedness, confusion, or racing heart; symptoms not starting to improve within 48–72 hours of antibiotics — or sooner if they worsen.8
Recurrence happens in 8–20% of patients within a year.2 Teaching prevention isn’t optional; it’s the whole point of the discharge visit.
Complications of cellulitis
Most cellulitis resolves with appropriate antibiotics. The complications you need to recognize:1,2
- Local: abscess formation (needs I&D), chronic lymphangitis, persistent lymphedema, ulceration.
- Regional: lymphangitis (red streaking toward the trunk), regional lymphadenitis.
- Systemic: bacteremia, sepsis, septic shock, endocarditis, osteomyelitis.
- Surgical emergency: necrotizing fasciitis — the red-flag section above is how you catch it.
Frequently asked questions
What NANDA-I nursing diagnoses apply to cellulitis?
The five most-used NANDA-I nursing diagnoses for cellulitis in a working cellulitis nursing care plan are: Impaired Skin Integrity, Acute Pain, Hyperthermia, Risk for Infection (spread/sepsis), and Inadequate Health Knowledge — often taught as Deficient Knowledge or Knowledge Deficit in older or school-specific resources. Some references also use Impaired Physical Mobility and Ineffective Tissue Perfusion when comorbidities apply.
What are the top 3 priority nursing interventions for cellulitis?
For an acute, uncomplicated cellulitis, the three priority interventions are: (1) administer prescribed antibiotics on schedule — antibiotic timing drives outcome; (2) mark the border of erythema each shift to track spread or regression; (3) elevate the affected extremity above heart level to reduce edema and improve drainage. Pain control and sepsis screening run continuously underneath.
What antibiotics are used to treat cellulitis?
Standard first-line for mild nonpurulent cellulitis is cephalexin 500 mg PO every 6 hours for 5 days, with dicloxacillin or penicillin V as alternatives. Clindamycin is the typical choice for penicillin/cephalosporin allergy. If the patient has purulent cellulitis or MRSA risk factors, incision and drainage is primary; add MRSA coverage with TMP-SMX or doxycycline. Severe or hospitalized patients receive IV cefazolin or vancomycin (AUC-guided per facility protocol) if MRSA is suspected.3,2
Is cellulitis the same as erysipelas?
No. Both are bacterial skin infections, but erysipelas is superficial (upper dermis and lymphatics) with sharply demarcated, bright-red, raised borders and is almost always streptococcal. Cellulitis is deeper (dermis and subcutaneous tissue) with poorly demarcated borders and can be caused by either strep or staph. The treatment overlap is significant, but the distinction matters on exams and when choosing antibiotics.1
When does cellulitis require hospitalization?
Admit when any of these are present: systemic features of sepsis (fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, altered mental status); failed outpatient therapy at 48–72 hours; severe immunocompromise; inability to tolerate oral antibiotics; suspicion of necrotizing infection; or rapid spread of erythema. The Eron classification (Class III or IV) is one common framework; many U.S. facilities use IDSA mild/moderate/severe categories plus a local sepsis screen.1,3
Related resources
Related care plans on this site:
- Impaired skin integrity nursing care plan
- Acute pain nursing care plan
- Risk for infection nursing care plan
- Sepsis nursing care plan
You’ve got the full cellulitis nursing care plan template now — five NANDA-I diagnoses, an antibiotic table you can actually use, the assessment framework that doubles as a sepsis screen, and the patient teaching that prevents the recurrence. Build it once and you’ll reuse the structure for any skin/soft-tissue infection care plan that comes after.
References
- Sullivan T, de Barra E. Diagnosis and management of cellulitis. Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(2):160–163. PMC6303460
- Brown BD, Watson KLH. Cellulitis. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 2025. NBK549770
- Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: 2014 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014;59(2):e10–e52. doi:10.1093/cid/ciu296
- Raff AB, Kroshinsky D. Cellulitis: A Review. JAMA. 2016;316(3):325–337. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.8825
- Herdman TH, Kamitsuru S, Lopes CT, eds. NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions and Classification, 2024–2026. 13th ed. Thieme; 2024.
- Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice. 11th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2023.
- Rosenthal LD, Burchum JR. Lehne’s Pharmacology for Nursing Care. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Guidance for Group A Streptococcal Cellulitis. Updated August 5, 2025. cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/cellulitis.html
- Rybak MJ, Le J, Lodise TP, et al. Therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: A revised consensus guideline by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2020;77(11):835–864. doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxaa036
Source notes. NANDA-I labels reflect the 2024–2026 (13th) edition; verify your program’s edition. IDSA SSTI guideline is the 2014 update (Stevens et al.). Antibiotic regimens follow current IDSA + StatPearls + Lehne 11th ed. Vancomycin monitoring follows the 2020 ASHP/IDSA/PIDS/SIDP consensus. Educational use only — follow your facility’s protocols and provider orders.
