Sepsis

Sepsis

 

Definition/Etiology:

• Sepsis- abnormal inflammatory response resulting from an infection

 

Pathophysiology:

• Abnormal inflammatory response
• Changes to the vasculature
• SIRS criteria

 

Noticing: Assessment & Recognizing Cues:

• Prevention
  • Treat infections early
  • Recognize early decline
• Assessment
  • AMS
  • SIRS criteria
  • HR up (or down)
  • BP down
  • RR up (or down)
  • Temp up (or down)
  • SpO2 down

 

Interpreting: Analyzing & Planning:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Basic/Complete Metabolic Panel (BMP/CMP)
  • Renal
  • Hepatic
• Lactate level (>2 or >4)
  • Organ dysfunction
• Find/confirm the source of infection
  • Chest x-ray/sputum culture (PNA)
  • Urinalysis/culture (UTI)
  • Blood cultures (Septicemia)

 

Responding: Patient Interventions & Taking Action:

• Antibiotics (maybe 2 or 3) QUICKLY!
• IV fluids A LOT!
• Decline further

 

Reflecting: Evaluating Patient Outcomes:

• High mortality and morbidity
• Early recognition is KEY!

Patient improvement:

• Vital signs stabilized
• Restored perfusion to organs (labs)

Continued treatment:

• Abx

 

Linchpins (Key Points):

• Sepsis ≠ septicemia
• Sepsis is an abnormal inflammatory response.
• Septicemia is an infection in the blood.