SEPSIS

Question 1

Front

Answer 1

Back

Question 2

What is sepsis?

Answer 2

A life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.

Question 3

What are the components of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)?

Answer 3

Temp >38°C or <36°C, HR >90 bpm, RR >20 or PaCO2 <32 mmHg, WBC >12,000/mm³, <4,000/mm³, or >10% bands.

Question 4

What is the difference between sepsis and septic shock?

Answer 4

Sepsis is SIRS with bloodstream infection, while septic shock is severe sepsis with hypotension despite fluid resuscitation.

Question 5

What is qSOFA?

Answer 5

Quick SOFA: clinical tool to identify sepsis based on altered mental status, RR ≥22, and systolic BP ≤100 mmHg.

Question 6

What is the role of NEWS (National Early Warning Score)?

Answer 6

To predict patient deterioration based on parameters like temperature, BP, RR, oxygen saturation, and consciousness.

Question 7

What are the risk factors for sepsis?

Answer 7

Age extremes, weakened immunity, ICU admission, devices (catheters), burns, and trauma.

Question 8

What are common sources of infection leading to sepsis?

Answer 8

Respiratory infections, abdominal infections, and urinary tract infections.

Question 9

What are the common causative organisms in sepsis?

Answer 9

Gram-negative bacteria (most common), gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococci), and fungi (Candida spp.).

Question 10

What are key clinical manifestations of sepsis?

Answer 10

Variable symptoms depending on infection site, causative organism, organ dysfunction, and treatment delay.

Question 11

How is sepsis diagnosed?

Answer 11

Through cultures (blood, urine, CSF, wound swabs), biomarkers (CRP, procalcitonin), and imaging (CT, ultrasound).

Question 12

What is the purpose of lactate measurement in sepsis?

Answer 12

To assess tissue hypoperfusion; elevated levels indicate severity.

Question 13

What are the components of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 3-hour bundle?

Answer 13

Measure lactate, obtain blood cultures, administer broad-spectrum antibiotics, and give fluids (30 mL/kg).

Question 14

What are the components of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 6-hour bundle?

Answer 14

Apply vasopressors to maintain MAP ≥65 mmHg, measure CVP and ScvO2, and re-measure lactate if elevated.

Question 15

What are the cornerstones of sepsis management?

Answer 15

Rapid administration of antibiotics, source control (drainage/removal), and fluid resuscitation with vasopressors if needed.

Question 16

What are the complications of sepsis?

Answer 16

Septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), renal failure, DIC, and death.

Question 17

What is the prognosis for sepsis patients?

Answer 17

Healthy young adults have >90% survival with treatment; older patients with comorbidities have higher mortality (30–50%).

Question 18

Why is early antimicrobial treatment critical in sepsis?

Answer 18

Each hour of delay in antibiotics reduces survival by 8%.

Question 19

What is the preferred antimicrobial strategy in sepsis?

Answer 19

Start within one hour; monotherapy preferred unless high suspicion of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).

Question 20

What is the role of prolonged beta-lactam infusion?

Answer 20

Preferred over bolus to improve efficacy in treating sepsis.

Question 21

What are the emerging challenges in treating sepsis?

Answer 21

Antibiotic resistance and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.