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 – 13 May 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Documentation and Communication
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Cardiac Disorders
- Newborn Care
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- EENT Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Preoperative Nursing
- Communication
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Microbiology
- Shock
Study Plan Lessons
The Top 5 Things You Need To Know About Documentation 2 – Live Tutoring Archive
Heart Failure – Live Tutoring Archive
Nursing Care Plan for Newborn Reflexes
Ethical and Professional Standards for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Function Within Scope of Practice for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Patient Confidentiality for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Surgical Wound Classification Documentation for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Patient Rights Advocacy for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Advanced Directive and DNR Status Confirmation for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Patient Privacy and Dignity Maintenance for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Advocacy & Moral Judgement for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Pain (Acute, Chronic) 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)
Wounds (Infectious, Surgical, Trauma) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)