Septic shock: Definition, Causes, Sign and symptoms, Treatment, Nursing management, Complications

 

Septic shock

 

Content:

1.   Definition of septic shock

2.   Causes of septic shock

3.   Sign and symptoms of septic shock

4.   Treatment of septic shock

5.   Nursing management of septic shock

6.   Complications of septic shock

 

Definition of septic shock:

 

Septic shock is a life threatening conditions that happens when blood pressure drops to a dangerously low levels after an infection. Any type of bacteria can causes infection. At first the infection can lead to a reaction called sepsis     

 

Causes of septic shock:

 

1.   Causative organism: Bacteria, fungi, gram negative bacteria.

2.   Endocrine diseases: Diabetes, adrenal gland failure.

3.   Drugs: Corticosteroid, chemotherapy, long use antibiotics.

4.   Immune system: Cancer Aids transplant patient, blood disease, lymphoma, leukemia.

5.   GIT: Liver chirrosis, appendicitis.

6.   Cardiovascular system: Vulvular heart disease.

7.   Nervous system: Meningitis.

8.   Hospital acquired complications: Bed sores.

 

Sign and symptoms of septic shock:

 

A. Early symptoms:

1.   Fever usually higher than 101 degree.

2.   Low body temperature.

3.   Fast heart rate.

4.   Rapid breathing.

 

B. Symptoms of severe septic shock include:

1.   Noticeable lower amount of urine.

2.   Acute confusions.

3.   Dizziness.

4.   Low blood pressure.

5.   Palpitations.

6.   Restlessness, agitation, lethargy.

7.   Shortness of breath.

8.   Skin rash or discoloration.

9.   Decreased mental status.

   

Risk factor of septic shock:

 

1.   Major surgery or long time hospitalization.

2.   Diabetes type 1 and type 2.

3.   Exposure to device like intravenous catheter.

4.   Poor nutrition.

 

Diagnosis of septic shock:

 

1.   Bacteria in the blood.

2.   Urine test.

3.   Wound secretion test.

4.   Mucus secretion test.

5.   Spinal fluid test.

 

Treatment of septic shock:

 

1.   Septic shock patient require hospitalization for close Monitoring.

2.   Antibiotics should be given within the first 6 hour after diagnosis.

3.   Intravenous fluids should be given within e hours.

4.   Vasoprocessoren: These medications are necessary to maintain adequate blood pressure in patient with septic shock.

5.   Corticosteroids: Doctors use these when blood pressure and heart rate continue to be unstable even after they have received fluids and vasopressors.        

 

Nursing management of septic shock:

 

1.   Place the patient flat in the bed with the feet elevated if necessary hypotension is resolved.

2.   Maintain 30-45 degree head of bed elevation to prevent VAP and aspirations.

3.   Obtain a history, examine the patient and make a best guess.

4.   Provide a rapid cursory initial head to toe physical assessment.

5.   The initial assessment goal is to identify major problems after thickness stabilized.

6.   Ensure that the airway is protected and maintain patient airway breathing.

7.   By arterial line connected to continuous monitoring.      

 

Complications of septic shock:

 

1.   Heart failure.

2.   Abnormal blood clotting.

3.   Kidney failure.

4.   Respiratory failure.

5.   Liver failure.

6.   Stroke.

7.   Loss of portion of the bowel.

8.   Loss of the portions of the extrimities.