SEPSIS Flashcards
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What is sepsis?
A life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.
What are the components of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)?
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.
What is the difference between sepsis and septic shock?
Sepsis is SIRS with bloodstream infection, while septic shock is severe sepsis with hypotension despite fluid resuscitation.
What is qSOFA?
Quick SOFA: clinical tool to identify sepsis based on altered mental status, RR ≥22, and systolic BP ≤100 mmHg.
What is the role of NEWS (National Early Warning Score)?
To predict patient deterioration based on parameters like temperature, BP, RR, oxygen saturation, and consciousness.
What are the risk factors for sepsis?
Age extremes, weakened immunity, ICU admission, devices (catheters), burns, and trauma.
What are common sources of infection leading to sepsis?
Respiratory infections, abdominal infections, and urinary tract infections.
What are the common causative organisms in sepsis?
Gram-negative bacteria (most common), gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococci), and fungi (Candida spp.).
What are key clinical manifestations of sepsis?
Variable symptoms depending on infection site, causative organism, organ dysfunction, and treatment delay.
How is sepsis diagnosed?
Through cultures (blood, urine, CSF, wound swabs), biomarkers (CRP, procalcitonin), and imaging (CT, ultrasound).
What is the purpose of lactate measurement in sepsis?
To assess tissue hypoperfusion; elevated levels indicate severity.
What are the components of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 3-hour bundle?
Measure lactate, obtain blood cultures, administer broad-spectrum antibiotics, and give fluids (30 mL/kg).
What are the components of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 6-hour bundle?
Apply vasopressors to maintain MAP ≥65 mmHg, measure CVP and ScvO2, and re-measure lactate if elevated.
What are the cornerstones of sepsis management?
Rapid administration of antibiotics, source control (drainage/removal), and fluid resuscitation with vasopressors if needed.
What are the complications of sepsis?
Septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), renal failure, DIC, and death.
What is the prognosis for sepsis patients?
Healthy young adults have >90% survival with treatment; older patients with comorbidities have higher mortality (30–50%).
Why is early antimicrobial treatment critical in sepsis?
Each hour of delay in antibiotics reduces survival by 8%.
What is the preferred antimicrobial strategy in sepsis?
Start within one hour; monotherapy preferred unless high suspicion of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
What is the role of prolonged beta-lactam infusion?
Preferred over bolus to improve efficacy in treating sepsis.
What are the emerging challenges in treating sepsis?
Antibiotic resistance and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
