Sepsis in adults Flashcards
(5 cards)
What is sepsis?
Refers to a systemic inflammatory response to infection that can lead to multi-organ compromise and is a medical emergency.
Has significant morbidity and mortality rates.
At least two of the following symptoms:
- temp >38 or <36
- HR >90
- RR >20
- WBC >12000 /mm³ or <4000/mm³
What is severe sepsis?
Sepsis + Evidence of organ dysfunction (e.g. confusion, hypoxia, oliguria, or metabolic acidosis)
What is septic shock?
Refers to severe sepsis + hypotension (despite adequate fluid resuscitation) or lactic acidosis (lactate >4mmol/L).
Presentation of sepsis?
Fever, sweats or chills
SOB
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea
Tachycardia
Hypotension
Pyrexia
Peripheral vasodilation
Hypoxia
Tachypnoea
Hypothermia
IVx/management of sepsis?
Six key steps in the IVx (Sepsis six)
- Bloods (FBC, U&Es, LFT, CRP, lactate)
- Blood culture
- Oxygen (if required)
- IV abx
- IV fluid resuscitation
- Monitor urine output
Other:
Imaging (CXR, echocardiogram, abdominal US)
Viral PCR (for influenza)
Urinalysis +/-culture
Lumbar puncture
