Sepsis

Running Head: Sepsis

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Sepsis:
A Clinical Case Study
Example
Conestoga College

Running Head: Sepsis

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Abstract

Sepsis is an inflammatory systemic response to infection. The symptoms are produced by the host’s defense systems rather than by the invading pathogens (Schouten et al., 2008). Sepsis is a frequent cause of admission to intensive care units (ICUs) and it is one of the leading causes of death among hospitalized patients (Alberti et al., 2003). It is a public health concern and it continues to be a burden on the healthcare system (Ely,
Kleinpell and Goyette, 2003). Despite advancing medical technology, the rate of patients in intensive care units diagnosed with sepsis is continually increasing. According to
Schmidt and Mandel (2009), even when optimal treatment is provided, morbidity due to severe sepsis or septic shock is approximately 40 percent and can exceed 50 percent in the most critically ill patients. Early recognition of sepsis and sepsis-associated infections is essential to treating and controlling it from escalating to advanced stages that are associated with higher mortality rates (Lukaszewski et al., 2008). Unlike other diseases or trauma, the initial signs and symptoms of sepsis are subtle and can easily be missed by health care practitioners.
Sepsis involves the activation of the coagulation cascade along with downregulation of anticoagulant systems and fibrinolysis (Schouten et al., 2008). This cycle becomes exaggerated because inflammation induced coagulation produces further inflammation. Sepsis is associated with hypovolemia, hypotension and endothelial dysfunction. The following report will examine a patient’s course of illness during her stay in the ICU at XXXX. This paper will provide a discussion on the patient and her past

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medical history, the pathophysiology of sepsis, the clinical manifestations of sepsis, the patient’s clinical course, and finally, a summary

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