Other
SEPSIS CASE STUDY ANSWERS
- Institution
- Herzing University
These documents contain case study answers about UTI's, Sepsis, Alzheimer's, and Appendicitis. Also noted is a final exam review slide show.
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
ScenarioP.S., a 76-year-old woman, was brought to the emergency department (ED) by ambulance after her
husband found her sitting on the side of the bed, awake but nonverbal. She has a history of chronic
atrial fibrillation, osteoarthritis, and hypertension. Her current medications include diltiazem, carvedilol,
and dabigatran. Upon arrival to the ED, she was sent for a STAT CT scan, then evaluated by the Stroke
Team nurse. Her initial vital signs include BP 110/60, P 158, R 20, T 100.8° F (38.2° C). She weighs 198
pounds (90 kg).
1. What are the risk factors for a stroke? Underline at least 2 risk factors P.S. has that led to the
evaluation for a stroke.
-Hx of stroke
-TIA
-Heart disease
-Diabetes
-Obesity
-Alcohol use
-Smoking
-HTN
-Hyperlipidemia
2. What other things will you ask about when completing the history?
- Medication adherence/ other medications she takes OTC or herbal
-Does she smoke or drink alcohol – if so how often/ how many?
- Do you monitor your blood pressure at home – if so what have they been/ are you writing them down?
- When did your symptoms start?
- Ask the husband what he saw when he found her.
CASE STUDY PROGRESS
The CT scan results were normal, and the NIHSS Stroke score was rated as zero. The ED physician orders
lab work, which has been drawn. P.S. asks to use the bedpan, and her urine was noted to be dark
orange, cloudy, with a strong odor. You perform a point of care urinalysis and, suspecting a urinary tract
, infection (UTI), sends a specimen for culture and sensitivity. A second set of vital signs are recorded: BP
98/58, P 164, R 18, T 101.6° F (38.7° C).
3. Underline the laboratory results concern you and explain why.
-Lactic acid of 3.2mg/dL – Normal ranges are 4.5-19.8mg/dL, can be indicative of sepsis, heart disease,
HIV, Short bowel syndrome, alcohol use disorder, or regular use of acetaminophen.
- WBC count of 18,600/mm3 – Normal ranges are 4,000-11,000/mm3. This is an increased level of WBCs
and indicates an infection.
4. The ED physician suspects that P.S. has sepsis. Explain sepsis.
Sepsis is a serious infection that can be life threatening and occurs when the immune system does not
react properly to an infection. This causes a systemic infection through the body which can result in
tissue damage, organ failure, and possibly death. Those who are more at risk for developing sepsis are
people older than 65 years old, Infants, newborns, pregnant women, those with diabetes, obesity,
immunocompromised, and those with severe injuries such as widespread burns or wounds. This can also
affect those who have catheters, any kind of IV, or breathing tubes.
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Sepsis - symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351214
5. After reviewing P.S.’s assessment, which findings reflect positive SIRS criteria? Select all that apply.
a. Elevated pulse
b. Elevated temperature
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller kansley719. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $10.89. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
52928 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now