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Sepsis NCLEX Complete High-Yield Practice
Questions and Answers with Detailed Rationales
100 Comprehensive Questions for NCLEX, Med-Surg,
and Critical Care Exams
2025-2026 Updated Edition
Exam (elaborations)
SEPSIS NCLEX COMPLETE HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
100 Comprehensive Questions for NCLEX, Med-Surg, and Critical
Care Exams
2025-2026 | Already Graded A+
Institution: Nursing Programs Nationwide
Course: Medical-Surgical Nursing / Critical Care / NCLEX Review
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Sepsis Recognition & Early Assessment 1-15
Section 2 Sepsis Definitions & Staging 16-20
Section 3 The Sepsis Hour-1 Bundle 21-30
Section 4 Fluid Resuscitation 31-35
Section 5 Vasopressor Therapy 36-45
Section 6 Antibiotic Therapy & Cultures 46-50
Section 7 Laboratory Values & Monitoring 51-60
Section 8 Complications of Sepsis 61-65
Section 9 Nursing Interventions & Management 66-75
Section 10 Pediatric Sepsis 76-80
Section 11 Geriatric Sepsis 81-85
Section 12 Priority & Delegation Questions 86-95
Section 13 Select All That Apply (SATA) 96-100
About This Practice Question Bank
This comprehensive practice question bank contains 100 high-yield
NCLEX-style questions with detailed rationales covering all aspects
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of Sepsis Nursing Care. Questions are designed to test critical thinking,
clinical judgment, and application of evidence-based sepsis guidelines
essential for NCLEX success and clinical practice.
Key Features:
• ✓ 100 NCLEX-style questions with detailed rationales
• ✓ Questions organized by topic for targeted studying
• ✓ Multiple question types: standard, priority, SATA
• ✓ Detailed rationales explaining correct and incorrect options
• ✓ High-yield content focused on frequently tested concepts
• ✓ Updated for 2025-2026 Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines
• ✓ Perfect for NCLEX review, med-surg exams, and critical care
nursing
SECTION 1: SEPSIS RECOGNITION & EARLY ASSESSMENT
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client for early signs of sepsis. Which of the
following findings is the earliest indicator of sepsis?
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Oliguria
D. Confusion
Answer: B. Tachycardia
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Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest sign of sepsis as the body
compensates for decreased tissue perfusion and systemic inflammation.
The sympathetic nervous system is activated, increasing heart rate to
maintain cardiac output. Hypotension and oliguria are late signs
indicating decompensation and impending septic shock. Confusion may
occur early but is not as consistent as tachycardia.
NCLEX Tip: Remember the progression: tachycardia (EARLY) →
tachypnea → fever/chills → hypotension (LATE) → organ failure.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client using the qSOFA screening tool. Which of
the following findings would earn 1 point on this scale?
A. Heart rate 110 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 24/min
C. Temperature 38.9°C (102°F)
D. WBC 14,000/mm³
Answer: B. Respiratory rate 24/min
Rationale: The qSOFA (quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment)
includes three criteria, each worth 1 point: respiratory rate ≥22/min,
altered mental status (GCS <15), and systolic blood pressure ≤100
mmHg. A score of 2 or higher indicates increased risk of poor outcomes
and should prompt further evaluation. Heart rate, temperature, and WBC
are part of SIRS criteria, not qSOFA.
NCLEX Tip: qSOFA is a rapid bedside tool to identify patients at high
risk for sepsis. It is not diagnostic but prompts immediate action.
Sepsis NCLEX Complete High-Yield Practice
Questions and Answers with Detailed Rationales
100 Comprehensive Questions for NCLEX, Med-Surg,
and Critical Care Exams
2025-2026 Updated Edition
Exam (elaborations)
SEPSIS NCLEX COMPLETE HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
100 Comprehensive Questions for NCLEX, Med-Surg, and Critical
Care Exams
2025-2026 | Already Graded A+
Institution: Nursing Programs Nationwide
Course: Medical-Surgical Nursing / Critical Care / NCLEX Review
,2|Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Sepsis Recognition & Early Assessment 1-15
Section 2 Sepsis Definitions & Staging 16-20
Section 3 The Sepsis Hour-1 Bundle 21-30
Section 4 Fluid Resuscitation 31-35
Section 5 Vasopressor Therapy 36-45
Section 6 Antibiotic Therapy & Cultures 46-50
Section 7 Laboratory Values & Monitoring 51-60
Section 8 Complications of Sepsis 61-65
Section 9 Nursing Interventions & Management 66-75
Section 10 Pediatric Sepsis 76-80
Section 11 Geriatric Sepsis 81-85
Section 12 Priority & Delegation Questions 86-95
Section 13 Select All That Apply (SATA) 96-100
About This Practice Question Bank
This comprehensive practice question bank contains 100 high-yield
NCLEX-style questions with detailed rationales covering all aspects
,3|Page
of Sepsis Nursing Care. Questions are designed to test critical thinking,
clinical judgment, and application of evidence-based sepsis guidelines
essential for NCLEX success and clinical practice.
Key Features:
• ✓ 100 NCLEX-style questions with detailed rationales
• ✓ Questions organized by topic for targeted studying
• ✓ Multiple question types: standard, priority, SATA
• ✓ Detailed rationales explaining correct and incorrect options
• ✓ High-yield content focused on frequently tested concepts
• ✓ Updated for 2025-2026 Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines
• ✓ Perfect for NCLEX review, med-surg exams, and critical care
nursing
SECTION 1: SEPSIS RECOGNITION & EARLY ASSESSMENT
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client for early signs of sepsis. Which of the
following findings is the earliest indicator of sepsis?
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Oliguria
D. Confusion
Answer: B. Tachycardia
, 4|Page
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest sign of sepsis as the body
compensates for decreased tissue perfusion and systemic inflammation.
The sympathetic nervous system is activated, increasing heart rate to
maintain cardiac output. Hypotension and oliguria are late signs
indicating decompensation and impending septic shock. Confusion may
occur early but is not as consistent as tachycardia.
NCLEX Tip: Remember the progression: tachycardia (EARLY) →
tachypnea → fever/chills → hypotension (LATE) → organ failure.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client using the qSOFA screening tool. Which of
the following findings would earn 1 point on this scale?
A. Heart rate 110 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 24/min
C. Temperature 38.9°C (102°F)
D. WBC 14,000/mm³
Answer: B. Respiratory rate 24/min
Rationale: The qSOFA (quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment)
includes three criteria, each worth 1 point: respiratory rate ≥22/min,
altered mental status (GCS <15), and systolic blood pressure ≤100
mmHg. A score of 2 or higher indicates increased risk of poor outcomes
and should prompt further evaluation. Heart rate, temperature, and WBC
are part of SIRS criteria, not qSOFA.
NCLEX Tip: qSOFA is a rapid bedside tool to identify patients at high
risk for sepsis. It is not diagnostic but prompts immediate action.
