Student Guidelines Ticket to Enter for Virtual Simulation IHuman - ERIC SWEHLA R/O SEPSIS

1. Discuss the pathophysiology of this disease process/condition. Include signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that results from an infection. This infection in the blood occurs when ...

1. Discuss the pathophysiology of this disease process/condition. Include signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that results from an infection. This infection in the blood occurs when the body’s response to the chemicals that are being released in the bloodstream are out of balance. Multiple organ systems can be damaged due to this bloodstream infection. Sepsis can lead to death if not treated right away. This is most common and most dangerous in the elderly, pregnant women, people with weak immune systems, and those with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or cancer. Signs and symptoms of sepsis include change in mental status, respirations and blood pressure. Risk factors include those who are very young or very old, compromised immune systems, diabetic or cirrhosis patients, have wounds or burns, and also being in the ICU. 2. Name and describe a possible test, lab, or diagnostic study that may be ordered for a patient with this condition. There is not a specific diagnostic study for sepsis but so that they may pinpoint underlying infection doctors often order a few labs. Blood tests such as ABG and CBC would be ordered as well as blood cultures. Other tests that assist in giving insight are serum glucose or glucose finger stick, ionized calcium, and serum lactate. INR and aPTT and other clotting tests would also be ordered. The doctor may also want X-rays, MRI, CT, or an ultrasound to check for infection. 3. Identify 2 nursing diagnoses: 1 physical and 1 psychosocial. Provide 1 correlating nursing intervention for each. Briefly explain the rationale for these diagnoses. Physical: Risk for Infection Nursing Intervention: Maintain sterile technique when changing dressings, suctioning, and providing site care, such as an invasive line or a urinary catheter. Rationale for Dx: Sepsis is possible in anyone with an infection that develops a complication, but the people most at risk of sepsis are the very young and the old, and anyone with these risk factors: A weakened immune system. Chronic illness, including diabetes, kidney or liver disease, AIDS, and cancer. Psychosocial: Hypothermia Nursing Intervention: Monitor client temperature–degree and pattern. Note shaking chills or profuse diaphoresis. Rationale for Dx: Hypothermia is associated with higher mortality and an increased risk of persistent lymphopenia in septic patients, and it may be an early clinical predictor of sepsis- induced immunosuppression. 4. Research pharmacological interventions that may be used in the treatment or prevention of the condition/disease process. Identify at least two different medications and describe how each medication works. 1. Antibiotics are administered immediately and a patient will initially receive a broad- spectrum antibiotic. They are given a broad-spectrum to be effective against a variety of bacteria. 2. Vasopressors may be given if the blood pressure remains too low even after receiving intravenous fluids, which constricts the blood vessels to help increase the blood pressure. 5. Identify one question the patient and/or family may have about the condition/disease process and how you, the nurse, could address it. I think a possible question a patient or family may ask about sepsis is how to prevent it. Personally I would answer this by saying that sepsis stems from an infection, so by treating infections early, the patient actually also prevents sepsis. One can prevent infection by taking temperature checks, taking antibiotics if prescribed, frequent hand washing, etc. 6. Identify 3 interprofessional members of the health care team who may be involved with a patient with this condition either in the acute or community setting. 1. Critical care doctor 2. Critical care nurse 3. Primary care provider