Academic Week 1 Flashcards
Define sepsis
Sepsis is a dysregulated response to infection. The main cause is bacterial infection but viral, fungal and protozoan illnesses can also be responsible.
How does sepsis cause sepsis?
Infection can cause problems such as systemic inflammation which can develop into sepsis where there is reduced blood flow, Multi-organ failure and death.
What is the SIRS criteria?
The systemic Inflammatory Response Score which can only be used for severe sepsis.
What is septic shock?
This is a patient with sepsis and hypotension or a serum lactate greater than 4mmol despite adequate intravenous fluid replacement. Any lactate above 2 is high.
What are the main types of infections that cause sepsis?
Meningitis, encephalitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, empyema, UTIs, appendicitis, diverticulitis, cellulitis and infections associated with implantable devices.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
Shivering, fever, extreme pain, pallor, sleepy, confusion, sense of impending doom, and shortness of breath. NEWS2 greater than 5 is indicative of sepsis.
The Sepsis Six are what?
- Take blood cultures
- Take a urine measurements and monitor vitals
- Take a serum lactate
- Give IV fluid resuscitation
- Give IV antibiotics
- Give high flow oxygen
When should fluid resuscitation be provided?
To treat hypotension or elevated lactate levels. The initial 1000ml should be delivered by Hartmann’s STAT and the aim is 1L within an hour and start the second titre. Smaller fluid challenges should be provided if there is poor LV function.
Give some examples of broad spectrum antibiotics used to treat sepsis
Teicoplanin, Gentamicin and Metronidazole
What antibiotic should be used with MRSA associated sepsis
IV ceftriaxone
What is the most common cause of community acquired Pneumonia?
Streptococcus Pneumoniae. This can be treated with penicillin.
What compounds are macronutrients?
Carbohydrates, proteins and fats
What compounds are micronutrients?
This encompasses trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, CO and Se) and vitamins. Generally micronutrients are essential but toxic in high doses.
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of copper
Copper is a co-factor for oxidase enzymes.
Deficiency causes anaemia and poor collagen and elastin production.
Toxicity is seen in Wilson’s disease which is life threatening.
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of zinc
Zinc is a co-factor or a component in over 200 metalloenzymes and is vital for prostate function.
Deficiency causes growth failure, hypogonadism, reduced immune function, impaired wound healing and hair-loss.
Toxicity causes GI irritation, vomiting and renal toxicity.
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of selenium
Selenium is a component of GPx, an enzyme which breaks down byproducts of respiration.
Deficiency causes increased oxidative damage, poor muscle function and reduced thyroid function.
Toxicity causes hepatocellular damage.
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of manganese
Manganese is a constituent of many metalloenzymes.
Deficiency causes impaired growth and reproductive function. It also causes skeletal abnormalities.
Toxicity causes neurological symptoms known as manganism.
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of chromium
Chromium is used in the metabolism of of glucose.
Deficiency causes glucose intolerance
Toxicity can be carcinogenic
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of cobalt
Cobalt is a vital component of Vitamin B12. Deficiency causes anaemia (B12 deficiency)
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of lead
This has no physiological role. Toxicity causes abdominal pain, anaemia and peripheral neuropathy.
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of cadmium
This has no physiological role. Toxicity causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Describe the physiological and detrimental effects of aluminium
This has no physiological role. Toxicity causes neurological and bone damage
What is the function of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin which is used in vision, growth and reproduction. Deficiency causes keratomalacia and xerophthalmia
What is the function of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin involved in calcium metabolism. Deficiency causes rickets and osteomalacia
What is the function of Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that is an antioxidant. Deficiency causes lipid peroxidation.
What is the function of Vitamin K?
Vitamin K is vital in the activation of platelets and so deficiency causes hemorrhagic disease. It is a fat soluble vitamin.
What is the function of B1 (Thiamine)?
It is involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Deficiency causes Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff aphasia.
What is the function of B2 (Riboflavin)?
B2 is involved in oxidation-reduction reactions and deficiency causes dermatitis.
What is the function of B6 (Pyridoxine)?
B6 is involved in amino acid metabolism. Deficiency causes convulsions and dermatitis.
What is the function of Niacin?
Niacin is involved in oxidation-reduction reactions. Deficiency causes pellagra.
What is the function of Folic Acid?
Folic acid is vital for nucleic acids. Deficiency causes Megaloblastic anaemia.
What is the function of B12?
B12 is vital for general metabolism. Deficiency causes burning feet.
What is the function of Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is involved in connective tissue formation and deficiency causes scurvy.
Define malnutrition
This is an imbalance of energy and deficiency in one or more nutrients. This can be acute or chronic.
What is Marasmus?
This is the loss of lean fat mass resulting in deficiency of both calories and protein. This is a form of malnutrition.
What is Kwashiorkor?
This is deficiency of protein but adequate calories and is associated with inflammation, oedema, dermatitis, fatty liver and infection. It is a form of malnutrition.
What is pellagra?
This is a disease caused by lack of Niacin (B3). Symptoms include inflamed skin, diarrhoea, dementia and sores in the mouth.
What does hyper metabolism cause?
This leads to protein catabolism (increased urine nitrogen excretion), insulin resistance, reduced triglyceride clearance, release of cytokines by macrophages and release of hormones such as cortisol and catecholamines. Illness leads to changes in all these pathways.