Sepsis Basics
What are draw blood cultures, measure lactic acid, apply vasopressors if needed?
In addition to physical assessments, nurses should monitor these lab values to identify early organ dysfunction.
What are lactic acid, creatine, platelets, INR, and total bilirubin?
This is the first action a nurse should take when sepsis is suspected.
What is notify the provider and initiate sepsis protocol?
This diagnostic imaging study may be done to identify the source of infection in the lungs
What is a chest xray?
This population is at higher risk of developing sepsis due to immature or weakened immune systems.
Who are infants and the elderly?
Most common infectious sources of sepsis
What are lungs, UTI, skin/soft tissue, GI tract/abdomen?
This skin finding may indicate poor perfusion in septic shock.
What is mottling or cool/clammy skin? What is delayed cap refill?
This is the minimum volume of IVF typically administered in the initial sepsis protocol?
What is administering IVF30ml/kg?
This lab must be drawn before giving antibiotics.
What are blood cultures?
This chronic disease involving high blood glucose increase susceptibility to infection and sepsis.
What is diabetes?
This is defined as life threatening organ dysfunction.
What is severe sepsis?
This is a common early sign of severe sepsis or septic shock in elderly patients.
What is confusion or altered mental status?
This is the vasopressor of choice for septic shock unresponsive to fluids.
What is levophed?
Repeat lactic acid
This red flag symptom often presents in septic shock and indicates circulatory collapse.
What is hypotension?
This form of sepsis includes persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors.
What is septic shock?
This is the significance of a lactic acid level > 2 in a patient with sepsis
What is tissue hypo perfusion, poor oxygen delivery, severe sepsis with acute organ damage, septic shock?
This type of medication should be administered after blood cultures are drawn.
What are broad spectrum antibotics?
This test evaluated kidney function and is often elevated in sepsis related acute kidney injury.
What is creatinine?
This invasive medical device is a common source of hospital acquired sepsis.
What is a central line or urinary catheter?
What is SIRS criteria?
This non invasive assessment can be used at the bedside to detect perfusion changes before blood pressure drops.
What is capillary refill time?
If IV access is difficult or delayed in a septic patient, these routes may be considered to administer fluids or medications.
This lab test measures the level of acid in the blood and can show if the patient is in metabolic acidosis.
What is an ABG?
Who are transplant recipients or chemotherapy patients?