SIRS and Sepsis

Question 1

Give at least 3 examples of signs that could indicate sepsis in a patient.

Answer 1

Any 3 of:
- Fever
- Shivering/cold
- Tachypnea
- Extreme pain/discomfort
- Pale/mottled skin
- Disoriented
- Sleepy, difficult to wake
- Tachycardia

Question 2

What is sepsis?

Answer 2

A life-threatening organ dysfunction due to systemic infection.

Question 3

Give at least 2 examples of patient demographics that are at increased risk of sepsis.

Answer 3

Any 2 of:
- Pregnant women
- Geriatrics
- Neonates
- Immunosupressed Pts
- Chronically diseased Pts
- Hospitalized Pts

Question 4

Give at least 2 examples of mechanisms which could cause SIRS.

Answer 4

Any 2 of:
- Infection
- Trauma
- Surgery
- Ischemia
- Autoimmune disorders
- Pancreatitis
+ Any others you can justify

Question 5

Give at least 2 examples of symptoms that, if new to the patient, could indicate SIRS.

Answer 5

Any 2 of:
- Hyperthermia >38.3C or Hypothermia <36C
- Acutely altered mental status
- Tachycardia >90bpm
- Tachypnea > 20bpm
- Hyperglycemia (6.7mmol) without diabetes
- Leukocytosis or Leukopenia

Question 6

Define “multiple organ dysfunction syndrome” (MODS).

Answer 6

Failure of 2 or more organs following sepsis, trauma, or burn injuries.

Question 7

What is primary multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)?

Answer 7

Organ failure as a direct result of a well defined insult/injury such as trauma.

Question 8

What is secondary multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)?

Answer 8

Organ failure which results from primary MODS in which the cascading effects of organ failure cause any dependent organs to also fail.