SEPSIS Flashcards
(24 cards)
It is possible for sepsis to occur in a patient who does not have an infection. True or false?
False
- patient MUST have an infection
Define sepsis
Patient has an infection and they have a dysregulated host response to that infection. This can result in life threatening organ dysfunction
What word is used to describe what blood vessels become in sepsis?
Leaky
- leaky blood vessels cause loss of fluid in the blood circulation. This can lead to problems with oxygenating tissues and organ dysfunction
Define pathogen
Any micro-organism that has the potential to cause disease
Define virulence
The likelihood of causing a disease
Why does hypotension occur in sepsis?
Blood vessels are leaky -> hypoperfusion -> hypoxia -> organ damage
Why are lactate levels measured in sepsis?
Lactic acid is important in anaerobic respiration.
Due to the hypoxia in sepsis, there is more anaerobic metabolism. This therefore increases lactic acid production
You can suspect sepsis from a NEWs score of __ or more>
5 or more + suspected infection
SIRS criteria. patient must have __ or more criteria to suspect sepsis?
2 or more
What is the management of acute sepsis?
SEPSIS 6!!! Give 3, take 3 Give IV antibiotics Give IV fluids Give Oxygen Take blood cultures Measure lactate level Measure urine output
Which IV fluids should be given in sepsis 6? (resuscitation fluids)
Crystalloid fluids
eg 0.9% NaCl, Hartmaans solution
Ideally, blood cultures should be taken from the same/different site?
Different site
Lactate levels above which value is abnormal ?
above 2 mmol/l
What do elevated levels of lactate suggest
Tissue hypoperfusion which can cause organ dysfunction
How often should you measure urine output?
Hourly
Why should urine output be measured as part of SEPSIS6?
It is a marker of systemic perfusion
What should the urine output be
At least 0.5ml/kg/hr
If a patient doesn’t initially respond to sepsis 6 treatment, what should be done
Further fluid challenge
If a patient has had SEPSIS 6 and further fluid challenges but is still not improving, what does this indicate?
Septic shock
General blood tests in a septic patient
FBC U+E LFT CRP ABG
General investigations in a septic patient
ECG
Urinalysis
Define septic shock
Patient has sepsis but they are not resuscitating as quick as you’d like them to
- refractory hypotension despite adequate IV fluid resuscitation
A patient can only be in septic shock if you have already tried to treat the sepsis. True or false?
True
Septic shock management
Vasoconstrictors
- adrenaline
