Sepsis
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Sepsis
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Dysregulated body response to infection.
- Inflammation causes vasodilation, capillary leak, clotting changes, and organ dysfunction.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics by class | Early antimicrobial therapy after cultures when ordered and not delaying urgent care. |
Signs / symptoms
- Clammy or sweaty skin.
- Confusion or disorientation.
- Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold.
- Tachycardia or a weak pulse.
- Shortness of breath.
- Hypotension or other signs of poor perfusion.
- Extreme pain or discomfort.
Nursing actions
- Recognize fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, confusion, and low urine output.
- Obtain cultures/lactate as ordered and give antibiotics/fluids promptly.
- Monitor perfusion, urine output, oxygenation, and escalation criteria.
Complications
- Septic shock
- ARDS
- AKI
- DIC
- Death
NCLEX cues
- Infection plus organ dysfunction.
- Low BP after fluids suggests shock.
Memory hooks
- Sepsis is infection with bad perfusion and organs.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Lactate
- WBC
- Cultures
- Creatinine
- Urine output
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Condition card for Sepsis: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Sterile blood samples collected to identify bloodstream infection.
Priority framework for checking oxygenation and perfusion before routine care.
Blood test pattern used to interpret oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
Sudden decline in kidney function that can affect fluid balance, electrolytes, and medication clearance.
Severe clotting and bleeding problem that consumes clotting factors.
How awake, oriented, and responsive a client is.
Targets bacterial growth or cell structures; exact teaching depends on the antibiotic class.
Sources and evidence
- https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/about/index.htmlSigns / symptoms
- https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/hcp/clinical-care/index.htmlSigns / symptoms