12.4 Sepsis and Sepsis-induced Acute Kidney Injury

Question 1

Define sepsis

Answer 1

Extreme, systemic inflammatory response in response to a pathogen.

Question 2

Define septic shock

Answer 2

• Severe drop in blood pressure leading to inadequate tissue perfusion
• Septic shock is shock associated w/ sepsis, such as due to vasodilation/fluid leakage into tissues 2° to increased capillary permeability

Question 3

List some clinical manifestations of sepsis

Answer 3

• Hypotension
• Tachycardia
• Fever, chills
• Leukocytosis
• Signs of end organ failure
• Tachypnoea
• Oliguria

Question 4

In what clinical contexts should we suspect sepsis

Answer 4

• Infections (endocarditis, pneumonia, UTI [urosepsis]
• Immunocompromised patient