Sepsis Recognition and Nursing Priorities Free Online FlashCards

What findings meet SIRS criteria?

SIRS is present when at least two criteria occur: temperature $>38^\circ\text{C}$ or $<36^\circ\text{C}$, heart rate $>90/\text{min}$, respiratory rate $>20/\text{min}$ or PaCO₂ $<32\text{ mm Hg}$, or specified WBC abnormalities.

Do SIRS criteria alone establish sepsis?

No. SIRS can result from infectious or noninfectious causes; it does not by itself establish sepsis or septic shock.

Which findings make up qSOFA?

qSOFA uses respiratory rate $\geq22/\text{min}$, altered mentation, and systolic blood pressure $\leq100\text{ mm Hg}$ as bedside risk indicators.

Can a negative qSOFA rule out sepsis?

No. Neither a negative qSOFA nor any single screening score rules out sepsis. Screening supports recognition but does not diagnose or exclude sepsis.

Which tools are recommended over qSOFA alone for in-hospital screening?

Current adult guidance recommends tools such as NEWS/NEWS2, MEWS, or SIRS rather than qSOFA alone for in-hospital screening.

What is the priority when infection is accompanied by new organ dysfunction?

Promptly alert the responsible clinician or activate the facility response pathway, while assessing and supporting airway, breathing, and circulation. Do not wait for culture confirmation.

What can elevated lactate and abnormal organ-function tests indicate?

Elevated lactate can signal impaired tissue perfusion but is not specific to sepsis or a particular organism. Rising creatinine, low platelets, and elevated bilirubin may indicate organ dysfunction.

What defines septic shock under Sepsis-3 clinical criteria?

Sepsis with persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors to maintain MAP $\geq65\text{ mm Hg}$, and lactate $>2\text{ mmol/L}$, despite adequate volume resuscitation.

When should blood cultures be collected relative to antimicrobials?

Obtain ordered blood cultures promptly, ideally before antimicrobials, if collection will not cause a clinically significant treatment delay.

How soon should antimicrobials be given for septic shock?

For possible, probable, or definite septic shock, current adult guidance recommends immediate antimicrobial therapy, ideally within $1$ hour of recognition.

What initial crystalloid volume is suggested for adult sepsis-induced hypoperfusion?

For sepsis-induced hypoperfusion or septic shock, adult guidance suggests at least $30\text{ mL/kg}$ of IV crystalloid within the first $3$ hours, with frequent reassessment.

For a $70\text{ kg}$ adult, what is $30\text{ mL/kg}$ of crystalloid?

At $30\text{ mL/kg}$, the suggested minimum is $2{,}100\text{ mL}$ within the first $3$ hours. Reassess and adjust to the patient’s condition.