Sepsis Flashcards
What is sepsis
Life threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection
What is septic shock
Persisting hypotension requiring treatment to maintain blood pressure despite fluid resuscitation
what does bacteraemia mean
the presence of bacteria in the blood
what is the early warning system used for
to recognise sepsis
how long should it take for the sepsis 6 bundle to be completed
1 hour
what is the sepsis 6 bundle
interventions designed to reduce mortality in those identified with sepsis
- administer oxygen
- take blood culture
- administer IV antibiotics
- measure lactate levels
- start IV fluid resuscitation
- measure urine output
what does the pilus on bacteria help to do
helps attachment
what is the endotoxin found on bacteria
the lipopolysaccharide which trigger inflammation
how does the polysaccharide capsule of bacteria aid them
promotes adherence and prevents phagocytosis
how would you confirm the diagnosis of an infection
- blood culture
- run a PCR to see if the organism is in the blood
what are features of red flag sepsis
- high respiratory rate
- low blood pressure
- unresponsive
- high temperature
what cytokines are released in response to infection
TNF (tissue necrosis factors), interleukin 1 and 6
what does the binding of an endotoxin to a macrophage initiate
the inflammatory cascade as cytokines are released
why does sepsis affect coagulation
the cytokines released initiate the production of thrombin and inhibit fibrinolysis
what complications arise due to the promotion of coagulation in sepsis
- microvascular thrombosis leading to organ ischemia, dysfunction and failure
