Sepsis for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
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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
Adaptive Brain SIMCLEX Study Plan – 9 Oct 2025
Concepts Covered:
- Cardiac Disorders
- Newborn Care
- EENT Disorders
- Microbiology
- Shock
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Neurological Emergencies
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Postpartum Complications
Study Plan Lessons
Cardiac Labs – What and When to Use Them 2 – Live Tutoring Archive
Nursing Care Plan for Newborn Reflexes
Nursing Care Plan for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Meniere’s Disease
Infectious Diseases: Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MRSA, VRE, CRE, ESBL) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Healthcare-Acquired Infections: Central-Line-Associated Infections (CLABSI) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Sepsis for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Respiratory Infections (Pneumonia) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Seizure Disorder for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Cardiac/Vascular Catheterization (Diagnostic, Interventional) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Cardiac Surgery (Post-ICU Care) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Obstetric Trauma for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MRSA, VRE) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Sepsis for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)