Sepsis

The learner is working in the emergency department, going to see a 70-year-old male who is here with abdominal pain and fever. The patient was previously told his gallbladder was bad and needs to be removed. Upon initial assessment, the patient is febrile, tachycardic, and hypotensive. If treated aggressively with IV fluids and early broad-spectrum antibiotics, the patient will stabilize. If not, the patient will deteriorate into a PEA arrest.

Learning Objectives

– Early recognition of sepsis, and septic shock

– Early aggressive treatment (IV fluids, antibiotics)

– Understand the importance of urgent source control

– Clear communication to team members of early treatment therapies