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.
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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
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Adaptive Brain SIMCLEX Study Plan – 14 Sep 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
- Male Reproductive Disorders
- Communication
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Postoperative Nursing
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Basics of NCLEX
- Urinary Disorders
- Shock
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Urinary System
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
- Vascular Disorders
- Respiratory Emergencies
Study Plan Lessons
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Epididymitis
Patient Communication Techniques for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Patient Status Communication for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Wound Classification for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Conflict Management (Patient, Perioperative Team, Family) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Wound Dressing Maintenance for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Caring Practices 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)
Healthcare-Acquired Infections: Surgical Site Infections (SSI) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Electrolyte Imbalances for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Hypertension (Uncontrolled) and Hypertensive Crisis for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Vascular Disease for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)