Sepsis

Question 1

B

Answer 1

Decreased oxygen saturation
Increased respiratory rate
Cyanosis/pale

Question 2

C

Answer 2

Reduced capillary refill time 
Cool peripheries 
High core temperature 
Weak pulse 
Tachycardia 
Low blood pressure 
Reduced urine output

Question 3

D

Answer 3

Reduced consciousness

Hyperglycemia

Question 4

E

Answer 4

Blanching rash

Question 5

What causes decreased oxygen saturation?

Answer 5

Maldistribution of blood flow

Question 6

What causes an increased respiratory rate?

Answer 6

Respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis to try and remove the carbon dioxide and decrease the level of acidosis within the blood.
The peripheral chemoreceptors in the hypothalamus detect a drop in oxygen and increase of carbon dioxide, and send impulses to the medulla to increase the respiratory rate.

Question 7

What causes cyanosis/pale skin?

Answer 7

The body diverts blood away from the extremities and non essential organs to preserve the central circulation to the vital organs

Question 8

What causes reduced capillary refill time, cold peripheries and a weak pulse?

Answer 8

The body diverts blood away from the extremities and non essential organs to preserve the circulation to the vital organs

Question 9

What causes an increased core temperature?

Answer 9

Caused by an early systemic response to the inflammatory process induced by cytokines.

Question 10

What causes a drop in blood pressure?

Answer 10

The white blood cells release molecules to fight the infection that react with the blood vessels, and cause them to dilate, resulting in a drop in vascular resistance.

Question 11

What causes tachycardia?

Answer 11

To help maintain cardiac output

Question 12

What causes a decreased urine output?

Answer 12

Perfusion and oxygenation to the kidneys is reduced, so they slow down as they have got enough energy.
The kidneys release antidiuretic hormone to maintain fluid within the intravascular spaces and allow the kidneys to conserve water.

Question 13

What causes reduced consciousness?

Answer 13

Reduced cerebral blood flow results in cerebral hypoxia; the brain is not being supplied with adequate levels of oxygen causing a progressive loss of consciousness.

Question 14

What causes hypoglycemia?

Answer 14

As a result of the physiological stress response

Question 15

What causes a blanching rash?

Answer 15

Small thrombosis, or blood clots that have been thrown off as a reaction to the bacteria

Question 16

Define sepsis

Answer 16

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection that causes injury to the tissues and organs.