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Essay On Sepsis

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TERMINOLOGY
CLINICAL CLARIFICATION
• Overwhelming, deleterious host immune response to an infection due to release of chemicals to fight the infection 2• 1
• Immune chemicals cause widespread inflammation, leading to blood clots and reduced blood flow 2• 1
• Systemic and can quickly become life-threatening with organ failure, including reduced blood pressure and heart failure 1 2

CLASSIFICATION 1
• There is a disease continuum with increasing severity if not treated or not responsive to treatment o Sepsis
- Infection plus overwhelming systemic response to infection o Severe sepsis
- Sepsis plus organ dysfunction and tissue hypoperfusion o Septic shock
- Severe sepsis plus organ failure

DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL PRESENTATION
• History o Recent …show more content…

• Diagnosis of sepsis is based primarily on a history of infection, history of chronic illness or trauma, physical exam, lab tests For signs of systemic infection.
• Comorbidities include chronic illnesses, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes.
• Primary treatments include antibiotic therapy, Fluid resuscitation, and crystalloid. Potential treatments depending on patient status include vasopressors and steroids, ventilator, renal dialysis, blood transfusion, and surgery.
• Complications include septic shock, organ failure, long-term renal failure requiring dialysis, ventilator-associated pneumonia.
• Sepsis is a very serious condition with a high mortality rate that ranges from 28-50%. 9

URGENT ACTION
• Septic shock; multi-organ failure and low blood pressure o Monitor central venous pressure, oxygen, glucose, electrolytes, lactate, renal function, urine output o Fluid resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, broad-spectrum antibiotic
PITFALLS
• Sepsis is a rapidly progressive illness that must be treated early with antibiotics and supportive care.
• The source of infection is often unknown, requiring a broad-spectrum

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