A nurse is caring for a 10-year-old client in a pediatric clinic. Exhibits For each potential provider's prescription, click to specify if the assessment findings are consistent with Eczema or Cellulitis. Each finding may support more than 1 disease process.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Discomfort level: Pain 3/10 (more likely due to itching than infection) History of mosquito bites and prolonged scratching No fever (Temperature 37°C/98.6°F) Multiple scabs and lesions from scratching Cellulitis Redness, warmth, and swelling on the left lower leg History of skin breakdown (scratching increases infection risk) Lesions present (Possible infection due to prolonged scratching) Rationale: Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes itching, dryness, and irritation, often triggered by allergens or skin trauma. The child’s history of mosquito bites and excessive scratching aligns with eczema, as scratching worsens skin irritation and can lead to scabbed lesions. The absence of fever and a mild pain level (3/10) suggest this is primarily an inflammatory response rather than an infection. Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that develops when bacteria enter through a break in the skin, often causing redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. The redness, warmth, and swelling on the left lower leg indicate possible early cellulitis, likely caused by bacteria introduced through scratching. However, the absence of fever and only mild pain suggest it may not be a severe infection yet.