Sepsis Quiz

Question 1

Define sepsis.

Answer 1

A life threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host response to an infection

Question 2

Define septic shock.

Answer 2

Subset of sepsis causing profound circulatory, cellular and metabolic abnormalities with a greater risk of mortality

Question 3

What is the SIRS criteria

Answer 3

2 or more of these symptoms with a known or suspected source of infection
- Temp > 38 or <36
- HR >90
- RR >20

Question 4

When would you request MICA for your septic patient?

Answer 4

• if you require vasopressor support
• MICA can administer adrenaline infusion and will have noradrenaline soon

Question 5

Can you give Ceftriaxone to your septic patient?

Answer 5

• after consult with the clinician and/or recieving hospital

AND

• Transport > 30 mins from hospital

Question 6

What is shock?

Answer 6

Clinical syndrome characterised by circulatory failure that results in adequate oxygen supply delivery to meet the tissue metabolic demands

Question 7

Why would you administer IV fluids to the septic patient?

Answer 7

• To replenish intravascular volume
• to increase cardiac output
• to maintain tissue perfusion

Question 8

What time frame is a substantial delay in administration of IV antibiotics?

Answer 8

1 hour

Question 9

Which area of the body is most likely to have the primary infection leading to sepsis?

Answer 9

• Lungs
• Urinary tract
• Skin (soft tissue)
• Intra-abdominal

Question 10

What is the PASS trial?

Answer 10

• Paramedic Antibiotic for Severe Sepsis

Question 11

What interventions is the paramedic to undertake for the pass trial?

Answer 11

• Paramedics that identify a septic patient with a BP <100 and a GCS <15
• Will take blood cultures and then administer ceftriaxone 2g and transport to a participating hospital

Question 12

What is meningococcal septicaemia?

Answer 12

• Bacterial (meningococcal) infection of the blood (septicaemia) +/- membranes that line the spinal cord and brain

Question 13

What does the rash signify in meningococcal septicaemia?

Answer 13

• Advanced symptom of the blood infection
• Bacteria multiply in the blood vessels and release toxins. These damage the blood vessel walls and blood leaks into the tissues underneath the skin
• Can start off as a pink rash/tiny red/purple blood spots, then rapidly increase to purple blotches or bruises (purpuric rash)

Question 14

How is the rash described for meningococcal septicaemia

Answer 14

Purpuric rash

Question 15

What are 6 signs of meningococcal septicaemia?

Answer 15

Septicaemia signs
- fever
- headache
- altered conscious state
- joint pain
- hypotension
- tachycardia

Meningeal signs
- Headache
- photophobia
- Neck stiffness
- nausea and vomiting
- altered conscious state
- irritable
- whimpering