Spot the Signs
This skin finding, often seen on the extremities, indicates poor perfusion in a patient with sepsis.
What is mottling or delayed capillary refill?
Patients with this type of IV access device are at increased risk for sepsis.
What is a central line?
The number of blood cultures to be drawn when evaluating sepsis?
Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be administered within this timeframe after recognition of sepsis.
What is one hour?
When tissues don’t get enough oxygen due to poor perfusion, this develops.
What is (cellular) hypoxia?
Increased respiratory rate in a septic patient may be a compensatory mechanism for this acid-base imbalance.
What is metabolic acidosis?
This age is considered a risk factor for sepsis.
What is above 65?
Blood cultures should always be drawn at this time in relation to antibiotic administration.
What is before antibiotics are given?
The type of IV fluids usually used in the treatment of sepsis.
What are crystalloids (normal saline/lactate ringers)?
These blood vessels become leaky during sepsis, leading to fluid shifting out of circulation.
What are capillaries (capillary permeability)?
Two warning signs of possible sepsis according to SIRS criteria
What are...
• Temp > 101 F or < 96.8 F
• Pulse > 90 bpm
• Resp Rate > 20/min
• WBC > 12K, < 4K or Bands > 10% ?
A patient with an indwelling Foley catheter is most at risk for this type of infection.
What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
A lactate level greater than this value suggests tissue hypoperfusion and possible sepsis.
What is >2 mmol/L?
If fluids don’t restore blood pressure, this medication class is used.
What are vasopressors?
This immune response is responsible for the release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators during sepsis.
What is the cytokine storm?
Two labs that must be drawn when evaluating for sepsis
What are...
Complete blood count and automated differential (CBC w/diff), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), Prothrombin Time and INR (PT & INR) Plasma, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), Urinalysis, Lactate. Blood Cultures?
The use of mechanical ventilation can predispose patients to this infection leading to sepsis.
What is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?
The “S” in SIRS stands for this.
What is Systemic (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)?
This vasopressor is considered the first-line treatment for septic shock.
What is norepinephrine?
The combination of inflammation, clotting, and impaired fibrinolysis can lead to this life-threatening complication.
What is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
Labs should be drawn within this time frame after activating and RRT or Code Sepsis
What is 30 minutes?
This chronic illness increases susceptibility to infection due to poor wound healing and immune response.
What is diabetes mellitus?
A lactate level above this level can indicate severe sepsis or septic shock.
This should be drawn if a urinalysis result is positive.
What is a urine culture?
The condition resulting from persistent inflammation and poor oxygen delivery in sepsis leading to the failure of multiple organ systems.
What is multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)?