BSNC 6000 MODULE 10: SEPSIS Exam |
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Question: Sepsis definition
Answer:
life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to
infection
12th leading cause of death worldwide
Sepsis Network: BC has had 10x less in-hospital sepsis cases and 8x less sepsis related deaths
compared
to the rest of Canada
Question: Septic shock definition
Answer:
A subset of sepsis in which particularly profound circulatory, cellular, and
metabolic abnormalities are associated with a greater risk of mortality than with sepsis alone.
Question: Pulse Pressure (calculation, normal numbers)
Answer:
Calculation: systolic - diastolic = PP. Normal is 30-40.
Numbers above 40 are concerning (around 60 in sepsis)
Question: Mean arterial pressure (calculation, normal numbers)
Answer:
average arterial pressure throughout 1 cardiac
cycle. Normal is 65+. Calculation: ((SBP-DBP) / 3) + DBP = MAP. MAP below 65 is concerning.
, Question: Manifestations of sepsis (2 vitals, 3 related to SV, 4 related to assessment)
Answer:
wide spread edema: blood
not staying in vessels, plasma is "leaking" everywhere
fluid in the lungs: fine crackles in all fields bilaterally
decreased/no urine output: insufficient perfusion to kidneys
change in mental status: insufficient perfusion to brain
decreased preload: fluid has left vessels, therefore filling volume/pressure decreased
decreased afterload: nothing to "push" against due to boggy vessels
only way to maintain cardiac output: contractility
increased HR, decreased BP (diastolic will tank more than systolic)
Provide rationale for the following clinical manifestations in sepsis... -
Question: Low temperature
Answer:
hypothermia related to decreased metabolic demand
Question: HR 105, BP 95/40
Answer:
diastolic = decrease fluid in vessels = compensatory increased HR
Question: RR 28, SpO2 92% on RA
Answer:
low O2 getting into pulmonary circulation = high RR (or PSR, or metabolic/lactic
acidosis)
Question: Drowsy but rousable
Answer:
CNS isnt perfused or toxin buildup
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Question: Sepsis definition
Answer:
life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to
infection
12th leading cause of death worldwide
Sepsis Network: BC has had 10x less in-hospital sepsis cases and 8x less sepsis related deaths
compared
to the rest of Canada
Question: Septic shock definition
Answer:
A subset of sepsis in which particularly profound circulatory, cellular, and
metabolic abnormalities are associated with a greater risk of mortality than with sepsis alone.
Question: Pulse Pressure (calculation, normal numbers)
Answer:
Calculation: systolic - diastolic = PP. Normal is 30-40.
Numbers above 40 are concerning (around 60 in sepsis)
Question: Mean arterial pressure (calculation, normal numbers)
Answer:
average arterial pressure throughout 1 cardiac
cycle. Normal is 65+. Calculation: ((SBP-DBP) / 3) + DBP = MAP. MAP below 65 is concerning.
, Question: Manifestations of sepsis (2 vitals, 3 related to SV, 4 related to assessment)
Answer:
wide spread edema: blood
not staying in vessels, plasma is "leaking" everywhere
fluid in the lungs: fine crackles in all fields bilaterally
decreased/no urine output: insufficient perfusion to kidneys
change in mental status: insufficient perfusion to brain
decreased preload: fluid has left vessels, therefore filling volume/pressure decreased
decreased afterload: nothing to "push" against due to boggy vessels
only way to maintain cardiac output: contractility
increased HR, decreased BP (diastolic will tank more than systolic)
Provide rationale for the following clinical manifestations in sepsis... -
Question: Low temperature
Answer:
hypothermia related to decreased metabolic demand
Question: HR 105, BP 95/40
Answer:
diastolic = decrease fluid in vessels = compensatory increased HR
Question: RR 28, SpO2 92% on RA
Answer:
low O2 getting into pulmonary circulation = high RR (or PSR, or metabolic/lactic
acidosis)
Question: Drowsy but rousable
Answer:
CNS isnt perfused or toxin buildup
