Sepsis Flashcards
what is colonisation?
presence of a microbe in the human body that does not cause infection or specific immune response
what is infection?
occurrence of inflammation due to presence of microbe
what is septicaemia?
presence of viable microbes in the blood
e.g bacteraemia, viraemia, parasitaemia
what is SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome)?
2 or more of the following:
+ Temp ≥38oC or <36oC
+ Heart rate > 100 beats per minute
+ Respiration > 20/min
+ Leukocyte count >16,000/mm3, <4,000/mm3
what is sepsis?
SIRS plus a documented infection site
what is severe sepsis?
sepsis associated with organ dysfunction, hypoperfusion abnormalities or hypotension
what are some examples of hypoperfusion abnormalities?
+ lactic acidosis
+ oliguria
+ acute alteration in mental status
what is septic shock?
sepsis induced by hypotension despite fluid resuscitation PLUS hypoperfusion abnormalities
what are potential complications of sepsis?
+ acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
+ disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
+ acute renal failure
+ liver failure
+ CNS dysfunction
+ cardiac failure and death
what are risk factors for sepsis?
\+ diabetes \+ asplenic patients \+ cancer \+ immunosuppression \+ severe wounds/burns \+ prosthetic devices \+ extremes of age
what are common pathogens that can cause sepsis?
\+ staph. aureus (inc. MRSA) \+ neisseria meningitidis \+ streptococcus \+ strep. pneumoniae \+ gram negative bacilli \+ candida species
what are the sepsis six?
set of interventions/investigations:
- administer high flow oxygen
- take blood cultures
- give broad spectrum antibiotics
- give intravenous fluid
- measure serum lactate and haemoglobin
- measure accurate hourly urine output
infection can be diagnosed through what tests?
+ blood tests: WCC, CRP, platelets, clotting
+ microbiology: culture - blood, urine, stool, wound, tissue, CSF, sputum
+ viral studies: NAAT/PCR
+ serological blood tests: for antibodies
