Laboratory Tests That May Be Ordered
• Leukocyte count and ESR may be elevated, indicating infection
• Albumin < 3.5 mg/dL may indicate malnutrition
• Blood culture results may indicate bacteremia or sepsis
• Wound culture analysis may show bacterial infection and identify causative organism
• Histologic analysis of biopsied bone tissue may diagnose osteomyelitis (i.e., bone infection)
› Other Diagnostic Tests/Studies
• Imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, CT scan, MRI, and radionuclide scintigraphy) delineate the extent of deep-tissue and bone
involvement
• Surgical debridement at the bedside under local anesthesia may be necessary to determine PrU extent and stage