Diagnoses for an infected full-thickness wound

[LKSN]

Help! I am trying to piece together an appropriate nursing DX for an infected leg wound (nursing school process paper). Risk for infection is the only thing I can find, however I don't see this as a risk - it's clearly an active infection. High WBC's, neutrophils, bands, segs, etc...febrile, inflammation, heat, redness, pain, etc. The medical diagnosis of "infection" is not anywhere to be found in this clients chart but I'd say it's pretty evident - he is already on an IV antibiotic. The wound is on this CLT's leg, is rather deep and was the result of a fall. I was going to switch gears and use Impaired Tissue integrity r/t full-thickness wound amb inflammation, febrile response and elevated WBC counts secondary to infection. My instructor said, "why not just use Infection r/t ..." I questioned that since it's not an approved NANDA label, so I'm confused. Infection feels like a gray zone as to whether it's truly a medical dx, or something a nurse can identify. As nursing students we are taught how to spot infection via various signs & symptoms, yet "risk for" is all NANDA provides...

What I'm trying to demonstrate is that given the very weakened state of this Pt, his poor nutrion and his history of multiple chronic illness, managing his infection is a priorty diagnosis so it doesn't wipe him off the map.

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

Thanks! LK

[Txnursekristi]

how about the risk of his infection becoming sepsis, which could then lead to him being wiped off the map?