Question 1

this is about a friend. if sepsis is strongly suspected in a hospital pt, is it the standard practise for more than one lactate test to be done? why?

Accepted Answer

Yes,to see if the: pt is worsening or getting better. The higher the lactate, the worse the pt is and that guides therapy ie what must be done for the pt to relieve sepsis

Question 2

can you explain the physiological basis of elevated serum lactate and lactate dehydrogenase during or post myocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

See explanation: Ldh can be released from dying cells or congested cells

serum lactate is usually elevated from the person going into some degree of shock (this would usually be from a massive heart attack causing the other organs not to be well perfused with blood due major decline in the hearts pumping strength or function.

Question 3

i believe that abx are usually given quickly after there is a strong suspicion of sepsis. how quickly, in your opinion, should n/s drip be given? why?

Accepted Answer

Saline: In cases of severe sepsis iv fluids are needed and started asap along with iv antibiotics. The goal is to avoid dehydration, low bp and kidney failure. The rate of infusion of saline or  5%dextrose with normal or half normal saline depends upon blood pressure, cardiorenal status,ability of patient to take by mouth and degree of dehydration or fluid loss upon admission to the hospital.

Question 4

how common is sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Common: Nearly three quarters of a million americans suffer sepsis each year; a high proportion die each year from sepsis.  It is fairly common in most hospitals.

Question 5

how does sepsis spread?

Accepted Answer

Blood: Typically sepsis starts in a single area - kidney, open wound, broken bone, etc - but spreads throught the body in the bloodstream.

Question 6

how fast does sepsis occur?

Accepted Answer

Very: Someone with a "mild" kidney infection can go septic and be dead in as little as eight hours. I've seen it. This is why these things are so dangerous.

Question 7

how common is sepsis in the us?

Accepted Answer

750k/year: National institute of health reports 750000 cases of severe sepsis per year citing data published in 2001. The number of cases is on the rise with the aging of the population.

Question 8

the main symptoms of sepsis are what?

Accepted Answer

Sepsis: fever, increased breathing rate, high heart rate are common ones to begin with.

Question 9

are there racial disparities with sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Aftrican americans have higher incidences of sepsis/shock, lower survival rates; it is not clear exactly what the cause is (higher rates of uninsured, poorer/overburdened hospitals in the areas that serve them, indifference or racism by physicians/hospital staff, poorer self care and more reluctance to use the healthcare system).  Its likely that all of those play a role.

Question 10

what are the clinical features of sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Severe...: Sepsis is a severe, life-threatening illness.  Syptoms often include high fever, low blood pressure and high heart rate.  Other symptoms depend on what organs are affected.  For example rashes if the skin is involved, confusion if the nervous system, low urine output if the kidneys, irregular heart rhythm if the heart, etc.

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Doctor answers about:

Serum lactate in sepsis

A member asked:

This is about a friend. if sepsis is strongly suspected in a hospital pt, is it the standard practise for more than one lactate test to be done? why?

A member asked:

Can you explain the physiological basis of elevated serum lactate and lactate dehydrogenase during or post myocardial infarction?

A member asked:

I believe that abx are usually given quickly after there is a strong suspicion of sepsis. how quickly, in your opinion, should n/s drip be given? why?

A member asked:

How common is sepsis?

A member asked:

How does sepsis spread?

A member asked:

How fast does sepsis occur?

A member asked:

How common is sepsis in the us?

A member asked:

The main symptoms of sepsis are what?

A member asked:

Are there racial disparities with sepsis?

A member asked:

What are the clinical features of sepsis?

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