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 – 7 Jul 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Documentation and Communication
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Preoperative Nursing
- Medication Administration
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Cognitive Disorders
- Communication
- Urinary System
- Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
- Urinary Disorders
- Shock
Study Plan Lessons
The Top 5 Things You Need To Know About Documentation 2 – Live Tutoring Archive
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)
Patient Rights Advocacy for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Labeling (Medications, Solutions, Containers) 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)
Altered Mental Status- Delirium and Dementia for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Advocacy & Moral Judgement for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Medication Reconciliation Review for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Electrolyte Imbalances for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Renal Failure- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Healthcare-Acquired Infections: Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CAUTI) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Sepsis for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)