Sepsis Flashcards
What are some symptoms of intra-abdominal infection
Pain Tenderness Constipation or diarrhoea Fever Rigors/ chills Nausea or vomiting Anorexia Malaise
What is the definition of Sepsis
A non-specific clinical response include 2 of the following:
Temp >38 or 90
Resp rate >20
WCC >12000/mm or <4000 mm
What might mimic sepsis (4)
Trauma
Burns
Pancreatitis
Other inflammatory processes
What is the importance of diagnosing sepsis early
To prevent severe sepsis and septic shock
What do we aim to achieve on the ward with regards to sepsis
Early recognition and intervention
What 3 things should be taken from the patient if the patient is septic
Blood cultures
Full blood count and lactate
Measure urine output
What 3 things do we give to a septic patient
Fluids
Antibiotics
Oxygen
What other diagnoistic tools can we use
Serological testing
Nucleic acid amplification
What else can we measure in blood science
FBC U and E LFT CRP Plasma viscosity Amylase
What do we look for in blood cultures?
Bacteraemia
What is the main bug we need to consider when considering intra-abdominal infection
E Coli
What are strict aerobes
Organisms that require oxygen for growth, such as Pseudomonas sp.
What are aerobic organisms?
Organisms that grow better with oxygen, but can also grow without it, e.g. Staphylococci, Streptococci etc.
What are the majority of pathogens in the human body
Aerobic organisms
What part of the GI tract is usually sterile?
Stomach, bile duct
