NURS 432 Fall 2025 Final Exam Study Guide: Sepsis &
Shock Management.
Review concepts from prior lectures (exam one and two)
This is just a study guide- you should be reviewing all
materials
New Content:
Sepsis
Key Features
• Infection: Often begins with an infection (bacterial, viral, or
fungal), such as pneumonia, UTI, or abdominal infections.
• Systemic response: The body responds by releasing
inflammatory cytokines, leading to vascular changes, organ
dysfunction, and poor tissue perfusion.
Signs and Symptoms
• Fever or hypothermia
• Tachycardia
• Tachypnea
• Hypotension
• Altered mental status
• Oliguria (low urine output)
• Skin mottling or cyanosis
• Warm or cold extremities
Diagnosis
• Blood cultures (before starting antibiotics)
• Lactate levels (elevated)
• Imaging to locate source of infection
Management
IV fluids (normal saline or lactated Ringer's)
o Broad-spectrum antibiotics (within 1 hour)
o Vasopressors if hypotension persists after fluids
• Oxygen: Supplemental oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation
> 90%
• Monitor organ function: Continuous monitoring of vital
signs, urine output, lactate levels
Shock
Types of Shock
1. Hypovolemic Shock: Caused by a loss of circulating blood
volume (e.g., hemorrhage, dehydration).
2. Cardiogenic Shock: Caused by the heart’s inability to
pump blood effectively (e.g., myocardial infarction).
3. Distributive Shock: Caused by abnormal vasodilation
leading to inadequate blood distribution (e.g., sepsis,
anaphylaxis).
4. Obstructive Shock: Caused by physical obstruction to
blood flow (e.g., pulmonary embolism, tension
pneumothorax).
Signs and Symptoms
, • Tachycardia, weak or absent pulse
• Hypotension (persistent low BP)
Shock Management.
Review concepts from prior lectures (exam one and two)
This is just a study guide- you should be reviewing all
materials
New Content:
Sepsis
Key Features
• Infection: Often begins with an infection (bacterial, viral, or
fungal), such as pneumonia, UTI, or abdominal infections.
• Systemic response: The body responds by releasing
inflammatory cytokines, leading to vascular changes, organ
dysfunction, and poor tissue perfusion.
Signs and Symptoms
• Fever or hypothermia
• Tachycardia
• Tachypnea
• Hypotension
• Altered mental status
• Oliguria (low urine output)
• Skin mottling or cyanosis
• Warm or cold extremities
Diagnosis
• Blood cultures (before starting antibiotics)
• Lactate levels (elevated)
• Imaging to locate source of infection
Management
IV fluids (normal saline or lactated Ringer's)
o Broad-spectrum antibiotics (within 1 hour)
o Vasopressors if hypotension persists after fluids
• Oxygen: Supplemental oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation
> 90%
• Monitor organ function: Continuous monitoring of vital
signs, urine output, lactate levels
Shock
Types of Shock
1. Hypovolemic Shock: Caused by a loss of circulating blood
volume (e.g., hemorrhage, dehydration).
2. Cardiogenic Shock: Caused by the heart’s inability to
pump blood effectively (e.g., myocardial infarction).
3. Distributive Shock: Caused by abnormal vasodilation
leading to inadequate blood distribution (e.g., sepsis,
anaphylaxis).
4. Obstructive Shock: Caused by physical obstruction to
blood flow (e.g., pulmonary embolism, tension
pneumothorax).
Signs and Symptoms
, • Tachycardia, weak or absent pulse
• Hypotension (persistent low BP)
