Sepsis *on IMs*

Question 1

Define sepsis

-define septic shock

Answer 1

• Sepsis is characterised by a life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection. The bodies own tissues can be seriously injured when the inflammatory response to infection becomes systemic and overwhelming
• A subset of sepsis where particularly profound circulatory cellular and metabolic abnormalities substantially increase mortality; when the patient becomes shocked (causing a catastrophic fall and blood pressure) it results in abnormalities such as ischaemia and lactate production

Question 2

Explain what happens during sepsis at a cellular level

Answer 2

If a pathogen breaches the bodies barriers the body will generate an immune response which creates information this information leads to vasodilation(causes reduction in total peripheral resistance to decrease, drops stroke volume and BP drops as there’s a smaller volume of circulating blood) capillary leakage (decreased stroke volume) and amplification of the immune system
-initially disinformation is local only in the vicinity of the microorganisms
-sepsis happens when the inflammatory process becomes overwhelming and systemic
-

Question 3

What type of patients are more likely to become septic

Answer 3

Immunocompromised patients, older patients, those with comorbidities such as diabetes, pregnant women

Question 4

What is decompensation

Answer 4

• It’s when the disease system is no longer able to compensate i.e. when the heart rate can no longer increase to maintain the blood pressure.
• When the blood pressure falls there is insufficient delivery of oxygen to the organs and hyperoxia causes tissue ischaemia anaerobic respiration and impaired organ function.
• Can cause cell death if not treated quickly
• acute kidney injury, decreased liver function, Type II myocardial infarction, drowsiness and confusion

Question 5

How does the body try to cope with sepsis

- describe the give 3 take 3

Answer 5

-HR rises to compensate for decrease in TPR & SV
RR rises
Urine output drops to conserve circulating vol
BP drops when HR no longer able to compensate for decreased TPR & SV
-give ; 1)O2 2) Antibiotics 3)IV fluids
-take ; 1)take blood cultures 2)take lactate & Hb 3)monitor urine output