The nurse is caring for a patient with a healing stage 3 pressure injury.Upon entering the room,the nurse notices an odour and observes a purulent discharge,along with increased redness at the wound site.What is the next best step for the nurse?

A) Complete the head-to-toe assessment,and include current treatment,vital signs,and laboratory results.
B) Notify the charge nurse about the change in status and the potential for infection.
C) Notify the physician by utilizing Situation,Background,Assessment,and Recommendation (SBAR) .
D) Notify the wound care nurse about the change in status and the potential for infection.

The patient is showing signs and symptoms associated with infection in the wound.It is serious and necessitates treatment but is not a life-threatening emergency,for which care is needed immediately or the patient will suffer long-term consequences.The nurse should complete the assessment;gather all data such as current treatment modalities,medications,vital signs such as temperature,and laboratory results such as the most recent complete blood cell count or white blood cell count.The nurse can then notify the physician and receive treatment orders for the patient.It is important to notify the charge nurse and consult the wound nurse on the patient's status and on any new orders.