Sepsis

Question 1

Define sepsis.

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define septic shock.

Answer 2

A condition sometimes occurring in severe sepsis, in which the blood pressure falls and the organs of the body fail to receive sufficient oxygen.

Question 3

Low Blood Pressure

Answer 3

90/60

Question 4

What are the clinical hallmarks for septic shock?

Answer 4

When a patient with sepsis has a mean arterial pressure of less than 60 and a serum lactate level of greater than 2mmol.

Question 5

What’s the normal rate of respiration?

Answer 5

12-20 breaths per minute.

Question 6

What does interleukin-2 do?

Answer 6

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a signaling molecule. It regulates the activities of leukocytes (specifically lymphocytes) and is part of the innate immune system.

Question 7

What is the major mediator of septic shock?

Answer 7

TNF-a

Question 8

What is the major mediator of septic shock?

Answer 8

TNF-a

Question 9

What is utricaria?

Answer 9

Urticaria, commonly referred to as hives, is a kind of skin rash notable for pale red, raised, itchy bumps.

Question 10

What is anaphylaxis the result of?

Answer 10

Anaphylaxis can be the result of a type I hypersensitivity response with IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation.

Question 11

What is anaphylaxis the result of?

Answer 11

Anaphylaxis can be the result of a type I hypersensitivity response with IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation.

Question 12

How does adrenaline counteract anaphylactic shock?

Answer 12

Adrenaline binds to beta receptors dilating the airways.

Question 13

Endotoxins are typically what type of molecule?

Answer 13

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)

Question 14

What are the clinical effects of LPS?

Answer 14

Fever
Vascular collapse (shock)

Question 15

How does LPS cause fever?

Answer 15

Release of cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF

Question 16

What is TNF?

Answer 16

Tumour necrosis factor

Question 17

E.coli is gram (positive/negative)?

Answer 17

Gram negative

Question 18

What are the hallmarks of sepsis?

Answer 18

Fever of more than 100.4°F (38°C) or less than 96.8°F (36°C)
Heart rate of more than 90 beats per minute.
Respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths per minute or arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) of less than 32 mm Hg.
Abnormal white blood cell count.

Question 19

How is sepsis managed?

Answer 19

Antibiotics as soon as possible.
Oxygen and intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain blood flow and oxygen to organs.
Kidney dialysis or assisted breathing with a machine, may be necessary.

Question 20

What is SIRS?

Answer 20

SIRS is a serious condition related to systemic inflammation, organ dysfunction, and organ failure. It is a subset of cytokine storm, in which there is abnormal regulation of various cytokines. SIRS is also closely related to sepsis, in which patients satisfy criteria for SIRS and have a suspected or proven infection.