Septic shock is a fatal condition arising from an infection that results in extremely low blood pressure. In addition to low blood pressure, various organ systems are vulnerable to insufficient functioning, as microorganisms such as gram negative and gram positive bacteria infect a host. Due to its attack on people with weakened immune systems, the young and elderly are more susceptible to the disease opposed to healthier individuals. Furthermore, “men are more likely than women” to get the disease (Ford-Martin). The pathogenesis of septic shock is targeted within the blood vascular system. Bacteremia is the initial invasion, inciting an infection. During an infection, bacteria release endotoxins which “provoke a dramatic response by the body’s …show more content…
Different tests are conducted to validate the disease via laboratory, such as blood tests, urine tests, and x-rays. Blood testing looks for low blood oxygen levels, as well as poor organ functioning. Urine tests search for infection, and x-rays search for fluid captivated in the lungs. Another advantageous test used for diagnosis includes respiratory rate measurement. (Robinson)
Besides test and exam diagnosis, other factors should also be considered when a patient is confirmed to have septic shock. This includes their age, allergies to any type of antibiotics, and medical history. These factors can retrieve insight towards how or why a patient may be vulnerable to this specific disease.
Treatment and prevention are valued in the occurrence of septic shock, many times being the reason lives are saved. Treatments of septic shock come in the form of fluids, oxygen, and antibiotics. A continuous supply of fluids and antibiotics targeting bacteria aid in restoring body functioning. Septic shock can be prevented through proper aseptic technique in the hospital setting, as well as identifying the bacteria responsible for the infection in a timely
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Bacteria can be contracted through “surgical procedures, catheters, or intravenous equipment (Wexler).” Statistics reveal “Approximately 200,000 cases” of septic shock has been documented in the United States alone (Robinson). This alone proves there have been gradual increases of septic shock incidences over the year, with a rising prevalence rate also. Because septic shock seeks immediate medical attention, many have died from this illness in efforts trying to recover. “Death occurs in 25-50% of all cases” associated with the disease, triumphing over those with weakened immune systems (Wexler).
Septic Shock is a lethal disease due to a drastic decline in blood pressure. Before an infection becomes septic shock, it originates from a disease called sepsis. Sepsis is an infection of pathogens or toxins within the blood or tissues (Faro). As its severity rises, so does its symptoms, generating hypotension. Septic shock is a disease to worry about, because it has powerful affects which can destroy significant organs. However, with the appropriate treatment and early detection, a patients’ life can be saved, opposed to becoming another victim of the diseases’ malicious
Sepsis is a problem of bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections. Due to this, the body develops a systemic immune response to get rid of the infection or tissue damage. This causes inflammation throughout the body, mainly found in small blood vessels or it leads to septicaemia which is where microbes or infections are found in the blood; this can also be called blood poisoning. Septic shock is a life-threatening condition where hypotension occurs as blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level after an infection. In septic shock the patient may experience tachyeordia, this is where there is a greater heart beat than normal (90 heart beats a minute) and tachypnae where the patient is breathing faster than the normal rate (12-20 breathes per minute).
It starts as sepsis then progresses to severe sepsis and then septic shock. In the United States alone there are 751,000 cases of severe sepsis a year with a hospital mortality rate of 28.6% or 215,000 deaths a year. For comparison there are 180,000 deaths a year from heart attacks and 200,000 deaths a year from lung or breast cancer (Nguyen et al). When compared to the numbers for diseases that are talked about every day, it is staggering the impact that sepsis has. Not only is it a lethal disease but it is costly as well. Sepsis took up $16.7 billion in national hospital costs (Nguyen et
Antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone sepsis treatment, and the therapeutic goal should be centered around administration of effective IV antibiotics within 60 minutes of septic shock or severe sepsis (without shock) recognition. The initial antimicrobial therapy should be empiric and focused on having activity against all expected pathogens (bacterial, fungal, viral), based on each individual patient situation. Daily reassessment of antimicrobial therapy should be performed, with de escalation in mind; procalcitonin levels can be of use to direct discontinuation in patients with no evidence of infection following initial septic
Mathews, Holly F. "Introduction: A Regional Approach and Multidisciplinary Persepctive." Herbal and Magical Medicine: Traditional Healing Today. Ed. James Kirkland, Holly F. Mathews, C. W. Sullivan, III, and Karen Baldwin. Durham: Duke UP, 1992. 1-13. Print.
However, increasing antibiotic resistance patterns among intensive care unit pathogens, cultivated by empiric-broad spectrum antibiotic regimens, characterizes the variable concerns. Recent literature point that antibiotic use before the development of VAP is associated with increased risk for potentially resistant gran-negative infections and Methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus auereus (MRSA)
More than a quarter of all cases occur in individuals that are older than 60 years of age (Heart Valves and Infective Endocarditis, 2014). In the United States alone, national data indicated that in 2009 there were up to 28,000 hospital discharges related to IE (What is Infective Endocarditis, 2012). As stated, endocarditis occurs when germs enter the bloodstream and infect individuals who already have a weakened heart. Bacteria and germs have always existed from the beginning of time, and it today’s culture, there are more and more individuals with heart conditions that are prone to having this
When the first line of defense fails, the bodies second line of defense kicks in. Natural killer cells, neutrophils, macrophages, inflammation, fever and transferrin and lactoferrin kick in to eliminate microbes. These also prevent infectious diseases. Keeping infection out of the intravenous site is very important. As long as the bodies defense mechanisms are working properly and aren’t compromised, the process is made
Imagine a rare, life-threating complication of a simple bacteria, causing many awful symptoms. One may have bleeding, bruising, diarrhea, and much more – all of which could resemble another aliment. However, with a simple culture that reveals one certain type of bacteria, one may be look at something much more serious. Toxic shock syndrome fittingly earns the name “syndrome” in its title as syndrome refers to “a disease that cause a variety of ailments” (1). As mentioned previously, toxic shock syndrome does just that. It may present itself with common symptoms, but a culture will reveal much more. Specifically, a culture will reveal the unnerving bacteria of none other than either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogens. Both of these bacterium cause what is known as toxic shock syndrome with the only difference in being their initial symptoms. Toxic shock syndrome has been documented to have been first recorded by the Greek physician Hippocrates who lived about 460-377 B.C. (1). However, toxic shock syndrome was questioned and remained a mystery for hundreds of years later. Toxic shock syndrome was thought to be “an obscure disease limited to a particular population of people in which the disease predictably appeared” (1). In the 1900s, toxic shock syndrome became a disease associated with trauma. This trauma may have been from car accidents, industrial mishaps, or even war injuries, but no one person could figure it out entirely. Annually, toxic shock syndrome affects _____.
Even with the ICU, the rates of in-hospital deaths from septic shock were usually more than 80%. This was just 30 years ago. Today the mortality rate is closer to 20 to 30% now. The nurses have advanced in training/technology, better monitoring, and immediate therapy to treat the infection and support failing organs (Angus, 2014). Since the death rates are decreasing, the focus is more on the recovery of the sepsis survivor. A patient who survives to hospital discharge after the diagnosis of sepsis, remains at an increased risk for death in the next following months and years. Those who are sepsis survivors often have impaired neurocognitive or physical functioning. They also have mood disorders, and a decreased quality of life (Angus, 2013). There are resources now available for pre-hospital and community settings. This will further improve timeliness of diagnosis and treatment (McClelland,
In today’s world, many people assume that the latest medical technology and treatments are always the best option. However, all over the world, different techniques for curing diseases and aliments are being used. These methods fall under the category of complementary and alternative medicine.
The principle sites of nosocomial infections in patients, in order from most common to least common are: urinary tract, surgical wounds, respiratory tract, skin, blood, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system (Abedon). According to the CDC, the most common pathogens that cause nosocomial infections are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeurginosa, and Escherichia coli (EHA). Methicillin resistant Staphylococcal aureus (MRSA) is a strain of bacteria that is commonly...
Sepsis is defined as an exaggerated, overwhelming and uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response to an initially localised infection or tissue injury, which may lead to severe sepsis and septic shock if left untreated (Daniels, 2009; Robson & Daniels, 2013; Dellinger et al, 2013; Perman, Goyal & Gaieski, 2012; Vanzant & Schmelzer, 2011). Septic shock can be classified by acute circulatory failure as a result of massive vasodilation, increased capillary permeability and decreased vascular resistance in the body, causing refractory hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation. This leads to irreversible tissue ischaemia, end organ failure and ultimately, death (McClelland & Moxon, 2014; Sagy, Al-Qaqaa & Kim, 2013, Dellinger et al, 2013).
On Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Overview and Alternative Therapy. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 18(4), 20-36. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/docview/1114602433
The human body contains countless amount of defense from the ever so present dangerous pathogens found in its surroundings. If any of these pathogens is successful in entering the body, the body must them perform a series of responses in order to kill or eradicate the issue.
“ Sepsis” according to the International Surviving Sepsis Campaign, is defined as the presence of infection together with systemic manifestations of infection (Dellinger et al., 2013) In todays modern society sepsis still accounts for 15% of maternal deaths a year worldwide (Dolea & Stein, 2003). Despite medical advances, aseptic technique, and antibiotic use, sepsis is the most common cause of direct maternal death in the UK. According to the CMACE report the maternal mortality rate increased from 0.85 deaths per 100,000 maternities in 2003–05 to 1.13 deaths in 2006–08 (Harper, 2011). Puerperal sepsis has a long history within obstetrics and midwifery, and yet despite this knowledge it has become, yet again, the leading cause of direct maternal death. Therefore due to the increased maternal mortality, I have chosen to focus on the care of a woman within ...