Finding Complications of Sepsis

[David Woodruff]

Complications of sepsis include septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).  Look for them.  Sepsis syndrome, as we like to call it now, starts out as either a bacteria or a bacterial toxin that gets into the bloodstream.  This is what we call sepsis.  The bacteria or toxin in the bloodstream causes a systemic inflammatory response (SIRS), which then causes damage to organs that are distant to the original infected organ. 

One of the things you can watch for to assess for the progression of sepsis syndrome shock.  In sepsis you will see a low blood pressure, tachycardia, low urine output, and pallor; the typical symptoms associated with shock.  But the patient with septic shock is going to have a wide pulse pressure and he is going to look like he is volume depleted.  

Assess his lungs and assess his kidneys.  These are the two organs that affected by multi-organ dysfunction syndrome initially.  Assess decreased urine output as an indication of renal dysfunction; assess respiratory function, specifically listening to the lungs in the bases in the back because fluid is going to start to generate there first. 

Watch for complications of sepsis.  They include septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction.  If you do, you will catch them early and be able to provide prompt treatment to avoid complications.