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
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
- Postoperative Nursing
- Shock
- Urinary System
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Circulatory System
Study Plan Lessons
Ventricular Dysrhythmias for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Atrial Dysrhythmias for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Hemorrhage Nursing Interventions for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Sepsis for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Electrolyte Imbalances for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
AV Blocks Dysrhythmias for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Calcium and Magnesium Imbalance for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Sepsis for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Sodium and Potassium Imbalance for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Dysrhythmias for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Fluid Volume Deficit
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Decreased Cardiac Output
06.04 Differentiating Ectopy and Aberrancy for CCRN Review
06.05 Wide Complex Tachycardia for CCRN Review
02.10 12 Lead EKG- Lead V1-V6 for CCRN Review