SEPSIS QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED AND 100%
ACCURATE ANSWERS
a
(Ms. Smith is an adult client who has received antibiotic therapy and has
had a prolonged recovery in a critical care unit. Fluid replacement is the
most effective treatment for septic shock (either IV fluids or blood) and
can be used alone or in combination with other treatments. Blood and
blood products increase oxygenation of cells and crystalloid and/or
colloid solutions increase circulating blood volume and tissue
perfusion.) Correct Answers Ms. Smith is a 54-year-old woman admitted
to the critical care unit 2 days ago with community-acquired pneumonia
and respiratory failure. Although she has been on antibiotics, she is
requiring increased amounts of oxygen and is diagnosed with sepsis.
Which therapy would be the most effective for Ms. Smith at this time?
a NS @ 125 mL/hr
b Lasix 40 mg IV q 12 hours
c Morphine 2 mg IV q 2hours
d Keflex 80 mg IVP q 6 hours
c
(Rationale
Arterial blood gas (ABG) test results in clients with septic shock will
indicate a decrease in pH (indicating acidosis), a decrease in PaO2 and
total oxygen saturation, and an increase in PaCO2.) Correct Answers
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with septic shock. Which
arterial blood gas (ABG) finding would indicate that the client is in
shock?
,a Decreased CO2 level
b Decreased PaCO2
c Decreased pH level
d ncreased O2 level
d
(Rationale
When assessing a client with sepsis, the nurse monitors the client's
hemodynamic status with a central venous pressure IV line or
pulmonary artery catheter. Normal CVP is 2-8 mmHg and is decreased
with septic shock.) Correct Answers The nurse is concerned that a client
admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) after a motor vehicle crash is
demonstrating signs of septic shock. Which assessment finding supports
this concern?
a O2 saturation of 92%
b Pulse 60
c Blood pressure 110/72
d CVP is 1
b
(Rationale
Indwelling catheters along with a temperature of 101.5oF indicate the
client may be developing septicemia and may require a transfer to the
ICU. The client with GERD who is NPO is not at risk for septicemia. A
ruptured appendix, not a nonruptured appendix, would place the client at
,risk for septicemia. The client with a history of MI and an elevated
blood pressure requires close monitoring, but not for septicemia.)
Correct Answers The nurse is caring for several clients on a step down
unit at a local hospital. Which client would require priority assessment
for septicemia?
a Client with a history of myocardial infarction with BP 130/90
b Client with an indwelling urinary catheter and a temperature of
101.5oF
c Client with GERD who is NPO
d Client with a nonruptured appendix with stable vital signs
b
(Rationale
Oliguria and hypotension are considered part of the cold phase or late
septic shock. In this phase, in addition to blood pressure and urine
decreases, hypovolemia and compensatory mechanisms result, such as
rapid, shallow, or dyspneic respirations. The skin becomes cool, pale,
and edematous; the client becomes lethargic to comatose mental status.
There is decreased CVP, tachycardia, and arrhythmic pulses, and normal
to decreased body temperatures. Death may occur during this phase due
to respiratory, cardiac, and/or renal failure.) Correct Answers The nurse
is caring for a client diagnosed with septic shock. Which assessment
finding should the nurse report immediately to the healthcare provider?
a Hyperactive bowel sounds with abdominal distention
b Urine output of 15 mL/hr and BP of 82/45
, c Bradycardia with an elevated temperature of 102.4degreesF
d Elevated blood pressure and warm, dry skin
a
(Rationale
A blood culture will determine specific pathogens and be useful for
prescribing antibiotics that are the most effective to treat the sepsis.
Arterial blood gases monitor oxygenation status. Serum enzymes
determine liver damage. Serum electrolytes determine potassium levels.)
Correct Answers The nurse is caring for a client with sepsis. The client's
family asks the nurse why there is a need for a blood culture when a
diagnosis has already been issued. Which response by the nurse is the
most appropriate?
a The blood culture determines the most appropriate antibiotics.
b The blood culture monitors potassium levels.
c The blood culture determines if liver damage is occurring.
d The blood culture will allow us to monitor oxygenation status.
a
(Rationale
The most common cause of bacterial sepsis is gram-positive infections
from Staphlococcus and Streptococcus bacteria. The incidence of gram-
negative bacterial infections has increased since 2003 with a 60%
mortality rate despite treatment. This incidence has increased the most in
older adults and non-White populations due to an increase in invasive
procedures, immunosuppressive therapies, and antimicrobial resistance.
ACCURATE ANSWERS
a
(Ms. Smith is an adult client who has received antibiotic therapy and has
had a prolonged recovery in a critical care unit. Fluid replacement is the
most effective treatment for septic shock (either IV fluids or blood) and
can be used alone or in combination with other treatments. Blood and
blood products increase oxygenation of cells and crystalloid and/or
colloid solutions increase circulating blood volume and tissue
perfusion.) Correct Answers Ms. Smith is a 54-year-old woman admitted
to the critical care unit 2 days ago with community-acquired pneumonia
and respiratory failure. Although she has been on antibiotics, she is
requiring increased amounts of oxygen and is diagnosed with sepsis.
Which therapy would be the most effective for Ms. Smith at this time?
a NS @ 125 mL/hr
b Lasix 40 mg IV q 12 hours
c Morphine 2 mg IV q 2hours
d Keflex 80 mg IVP q 6 hours
c
(Rationale
Arterial blood gas (ABG) test results in clients with septic shock will
indicate a decrease in pH (indicating acidosis), a decrease in PaO2 and
total oxygen saturation, and an increase in PaCO2.) Correct Answers
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with septic shock. Which
arterial blood gas (ABG) finding would indicate that the client is in
shock?
,a Decreased CO2 level
b Decreased PaCO2
c Decreased pH level
d ncreased O2 level
d
(Rationale
When assessing a client with sepsis, the nurse monitors the client's
hemodynamic status with a central venous pressure IV line or
pulmonary artery catheter. Normal CVP is 2-8 mmHg and is decreased
with septic shock.) Correct Answers The nurse is concerned that a client
admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) after a motor vehicle crash is
demonstrating signs of septic shock. Which assessment finding supports
this concern?
a O2 saturation of 92%
b Pulse 60
c Blood pressure 110/72
d CVP is 1
b
(Rationale
Indwelling catheters along with a temperature of 101.5oF indicate the
client may be developing septicemia and may require a transfer to the
ICU. The client with GERD who is NPO is not at risk for septicemia. A
ruptured appendix, not a nonruptured appendix, would place the client at
,risk for septicemia. The client with a history of MI and an elevated
blood pressure requires close monitoring, but not for septicemia.)
Correct Answers The nurse is caring for several clients on a step down
unit at a local hospital. Which client would require priority assessment
for septicemia?
a Client with a history of myocardial infarction with BP 130/90
b Client with an indwelling urinary catheter and a temperature of
101.5oF
c Client with GERD who is NPO
d Client with a nonruptured appendix with stable vital signs
b
(Rationale
Oliguria and hypotension are considered part of the cold phase or late
septic shock. In this phase, in addition to blood pressure and urine
decreases, hypovolemia and compensatory mechanisms result, such as
rapid, shallow, or dyspneic respirations. The skin becomes cool, pale,
and edematous; the client becomes lethargic to comatose mental status.
There is decreased CVP, tachycardia, and arrhythmic pulses, and normal
to decreased body temperatures. Death may occur during this phase due
to respiratory, cardiac, and/or renal failure.) Correct Answers The nurse
is caring for a client diagnosed with septic shock. Which assessment
finding should the nurse report immediately to the healthcare provider?
a Hyperactive bowel sounds with abdominal distention
b Urine output of 15 mL/hr and BP of 82/45
, c Bradycardia with an elevated temperature of 102.4degreesF
d Elevated blood pressure and warm, dry skin
a
(Rationale
A blood culture will determine specific pathogens and be useful for
prescribing antibiotics that are the most effective to treat the sepsis.
Arterial blood gases monitor oxygenation status. Serum enzymes
determine liver damage. Serum electrolytes determine potassium levels.)
Correct Answers The nurse is caring for a client with sepsis. The client's
family asks the nurse why there is a need for a blood culture when a
diagnosis has already been issued. Which response by the nurse is the
most appropriate?
a The blood culture determines the most appropriate antibiotics.
b The blood culture monitors potassium levels.
c The blood culture determines if liver damage is occurring.
d The blood culture will allow us to monitor oxygenation status.
a
(Rationale
The most common cause of bacterial sepsis is gram-positive infections
from Staphlococcus and Streptococcus bacteria. The incidence of gram-
negative bacterial infections has increased since 2003 with a 60%
mortality rate despite treatment. This incidence has increased the most in
older adults and non-White populations due to an increase in invasive
procedures, immunosuppressive therapies, and antimicrobial resistance.
