Sepsis and Septic Shock

Question 1

Address effects of dysregulated immune response “early-goal directed therapy”

• objective
• early?
• goal-directed? –> what are 4 steps?

Answer 1

1. Measure serum lactate
2. Administer intravenous fluids to target normal/near-normal serum lactate and blood pressure (BP)
3. Use medications to support BP (“vasopressors”) in septic shock
4. Be aware: Treatment for sepsis/septic shock is evolving!

Question 2

Key messages

Answer 2

1. Sepsis is on a continuum from infection to septic shock
2. Sepsis involves exaggerated pro- and anti- inflammatory responses and non-immune pathways
3. Sepsis and septic shock are medical emergencies that require prompt therapy
   –Early appropriate empiric antimicrobial agents
   –Early goal-directed therapy