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:
- Hematology
- Microbiology
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Delegation
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Postoperative Nursing
- Shock
- Lower GI Disorders
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
Study Plan Lessons
Infection or Inflammation? The Quick & Dirty on CBCs 2 – Live Tutoring Archive
Positioning (Pressure Injury Prevention and Tourniquet Safety) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Hazardous Material Handling and Disposition (Chemo, Radioactive) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Biohazard Material Handling and Disposition (Blood, Microbiology, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Accountability and Assistance for Personal Limitations for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
HCIR Management (Healthcare Industry Representative) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Postoperative Follow-up for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Body Mechanics (Utilization) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Delegation and Personnel Management for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Patient Positioning (Performance) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Patient and Personal Safety (Environmental Hazard Monitoring) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Healthcare-Acquired Infections: Central-Line-Associated Infections (CLABSI) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Sepsis for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
GI Infections (C. difficile) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Delegation of Tasks to Assistive Personnel for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)