Sepsis for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Master
To Master a topic you must score > 80% on the lesson quiz.
Take Quiz
Included In This Lesson
Outline
Sepsis
Definition/Etiology:
- Sepsis- abnormal inflammatory response resulting from an infection
Pathophysiology:
- Abnormal inflammatory response
- Changes to the vasculature
- SIRS criteria
Noticing: Assessment & Recognizing Cues:
- Prevention
- Treat infections early
- Recognize early decline
- Assessment
- AMS
- SIRS criteria
- HR up (or down)
- BP down
- RR up (or down)
- Temp up (or down)
- SpO2 down
Interpreting: Analyzing & Planning:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Basic/Complete Metabolic Panel (BMP/CMP)
- Renal
- Hepatic
- Lactate level (>2 or >4)
- Organ dysfunction
- Find/confirm the source of infection
- Chest x-ray/sputum culture (PNA)
- Urinalysis/culture (UTI)
- Blood cultures (Septicemia)
Responding: Patient Interventions & Taking Action:
- Antibiotics (maybe 2 or 3) QUICKLY!
- IV fluids A LOT!
- Decline further
Reflecting: Evaluating Patient Outcomes:
- High mortality and morbidity
- Early recognition is KEY!
Patient improvement:
- Vital signs stabilized
- Restored perfusion to organs (labs)
Continued treatment:
- Abx
Linchpins (Key Points):
- Sepsis ≠ septicemia
- Sepsis is an abnormal inflammatory response.
- Septicemia is an infection in the blood.
Transcript
References
- Mayo Clinic. (2022a). Diagnosis & treatment. Sepsis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351219.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022b). Symptoms & causes. Sepsis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351214
Related Lessons
Amputation for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Surgical Attire Guideline Adherence (Surgical, Perioperative Zones) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Neostigmine (Prostigmin) Nursing Considerations
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Osteoporosis
Meniere’s Disease
Pericardial Tamponade for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)