What it means
A collection of pusPUSThick fluid made of white blood cells, dead tissue and germs that collects at a site of infection.Full entry surrounded by inflamed tissue. Skin abscesses (boils) are often caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSAMUR-suh, or said as lettersMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.Full entry . Abscesses can also form inside the body, as in the abdomen after a burst appendix, or in a tooth, lung or brain. Many need to be cut open and drained (incision and drainage) as well as treated with antibiotics.
For the nurse
Use contact precautions for draining wounds as policy directs. After drainage, pack and dress the wound as ordered and teach hand washing at home.
At a glance
| Spanish | absceso |
|---|---|
| Also written | abscesses, abscessed |
Related terms
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.
pus
Thick fluid made of white blood cells, dead tissue and germs that collects at a site of infection.
cyst
A closed sac in the body filled with fluid, air or semi-solid material.
infectious
Caused by germs, or able to spread germs and cause infection in others.