Overview
Introduction
Breast pain, redness, and fever during lactation do not automatically indicate a bacterial infection.
Breast pain, redness, and fever during lactation do not automatically indicate a bacterial infection. The practical nurse first determines whether the patient has a stable inflammatory presentation or findings that require antibiotics, imaging, or urgent medical assessment. The affected breast remains safe for a healthy term infant in typical mastitis, so feeding does not need to stop. In the United States, an LPN/LVN performs assessment, monitoring, teaching, and medication administration within state-defined scope and authorization; diagnosis and antibiotic prescribing belong to the authorized prescriber.