Sepsis

Question 1

What vital signs are used to indicate if a patient has a SIRS?

Answer 1

Temperature

Heart Rate

Respiratory Rate

Partial pressure of CO2

White blood cell count

Question 2

In addition to SIRS, what is needed for sepsis to be defined?

Answer 2

Infection

Question 3

What is the definition of sepsis?

Answer 3

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host response to infection

Question 4

What are the components of the qSOFA score used to quickly assess a sepsis patients risk of a poor outcome?

Answer 4

Systolic BP < 100

Altered mental status

Tachypnea RR > 22/min

Question 5

Name 3 components of the body that act as defence against sepsis?

Answer 5

Physical barrier - e.g. skin

Innate immune system

Aadaptive immune system

Question 6

What are the 3 phases in sepsis?

Answer 6

1. Release of bacterial toxins
2. Release of mediators
3. Effects of specific excessive mediators

Question 7

What are the clinical signs of a patient with sepsis?

Answer 7

Fever

Hypothermia

Tachycardia

Tachypnoea

Altered mental status

Hyperglycaemia

Question 8

What investigations will you perform in a patient who is septic?

Answer 8

FBC

U&E’s

LFT’s

Serum lactate

Question 9

What are the sepsis 6?

Answer 9

Give oxygen

Give IV antibiotics

Give IV fluids

Take blood for cultures

Measure serum lactate

Measure urine output