Sepsis Flashcards
What is sepsis?
Life threatening organ dysfuntion due to dysregulated host response to infection (damages its own tissues and organs)
What is septic shock?
Subset of sepsis
Circulatory, cellular and metabolic abnormalities which substantially increase mortality
Reasons for definitions:
Common language improves communication
Educate the public
Establish criteria and thresholds
Determine eligibility for clinical trials
Simple terms: what is sepsis
Physiological responses to infection
Inflammation
Dysregulated immune system
What happens in local infection?
Rubor (red)
Calor (hot)
Dolor (pain)
Tumor (swelling)
What happens in sepsis?
Widespread inflammation:
Capillary leakage = oedema (plasma proteins leave capillary and draw water into interstitial space)
Vasodilation = redness and heat
Amplification of immune cells
ACROSS THE WHOLE BODY
Effects of sepsis on airways
No specific unless infection arises from throat/neck
Decreased consciousness could mean airway problems
Effects of sepsis on breathing
Tachypnoea (raised respiratory rate) Lung oedema (fluids and proteins leaking out)
Effects of sepsis on circulation
Hypovalaemia (decreased circulating blood) from capillary leakage and vasodilation
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Organ damage - not perfused
Blood pressure equation
Cardiac output x vascular resistance
Effects of sepsis (disability)
Reduced blood flow to brain Confusion Slurred speech Agitation Anxiety Low level of consciousness
Effect of sepsis (exposure)
Hyperthermia (hypothalamic response to infection)
Hypothermia (<36) in ELDERLY
6 signs of sepsis
S - slurred speech/confusion E - extreme shivering or muscle pain P - passing no urine S - severe breathlessness I - it feels like you are going to die S - skin mottled/discoloured
Who is at risk of sepsis?
Very young
Elderly
Pregnant/post partum (last 6 weeks)
Impaired immune system - illness/drugs
When do you think sepsis?
Triggering early warning score
Looks ill / relative concerned
Signs of infection