Glossary for Sepsis
Algorithm
A specific stepwise approach for treatment or care of patients
Antibiotic
Blood Culture (BC)
Medications that slow or stop the growth of bacteria in the body
A blood test that is done to detect infections that are spreading in the bloodstream, it can also
identify what type of bacteria is causing the infection
A group of activities or treatments done together to manage a patient problem/illness
A special type of cannula inserted into a large vein in the body that can provide measurements that
reflect fluid/blood volume and delivery of oxygen to the tissues and organs
Measures the amount of oxygen available to the body. Normal value is 70 or greater, this is the target
when treating a patient with sepsis
A measurement that is used to determine if the patient has enough fluid or blood in their body.
Normal value is 0-6 but with sepsis it is recommended to give additional fluids to get the value to 812
A blood test that gives information about all the cells in the blood
An intravenous (IV) medication that is given to improve heart function and deliver more blood and
oxygen to the body in very ill people
The name given for specific treatment of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock
A person who works in the emergency department who assists the nurse and doctor
Rate at which the heart beats every minute- normal is 60 to 100
Test that measures the volume of blood that is made up of red blood cells. Normal range is 35-50
A cannula that is inserted in a vein in the body to give medications or fluids
A place in the hospital for very ill people who need specialized care
A blood test that is done to detect the level of lactic acid in the blood that may indicate a lack of
oxygen in the body. Normal is < 2. If the value is >4 and the patient has an infection, Early Goal
Directed Therapy(EGDT) is recommended
Determines how awake and alert the person is
An average blood pressure in a person, normal value is 70-100, the MAP target when treating a
patient with sepsis is > 65
An intravenous (IV) medication that is given to increase blood pressure in very ill people
Bundle
Central Line /Sepsis Catheter
Central Venous Oxygen Saturation (ScvO2)
Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Dobutamine
Early Goal Directed Therapy (EGDT)
ED Technician
Heart Rate (HR)
Hematocrit (Hct)
Intravenous (IV) Line
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Lactate
Level of Consciousness (LOC)
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)
Norepinephrine
Normal Saline (NS)
Phlebotomist
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Respiratory Rate (RR)
Sepsis, Severe Sepsis, Septic Shock
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
(SIRS)
Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)
Temperature (T)
Transfusion
Triage
Vital Signs (VS)
White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
A special type of fluid that is given through an intravenous line
A technician who draws blood for lab tests
Most common type of cell in the blood- carries oxygen to the body
Rate at which the person is breathing- normal rate is 12 to 20
Sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock are inflammatory states resulting from the body’s response to
infection
An inflammatory state affecting the whole body often caused by an infection or trauma
During each heart beat blood pressure varies between a maximum (systolic) and a minimum
(diastolic) pressure. Normal range for systolic blood pressure is 90-120. If the SBP remains lower
than 90, the patient is considered to be in shock. If they also have an infection the patient is
considered to be in septic shock and Early Goal Directed Therapy (EGDT) is recommended
Body temperature is a measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. Normal
Temperature is 98.6 F. In sepsis the temperature may be abnormally high or low
Giving blood via an intravenous line
A place in the emergency room where patients are examined and evaluated to determine how ill they
are and the type of care they need.
Group of measurements routinely done on patients: Blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate,
heart rate
White blood cells help fight infection- there is five types of white blood cells. High white blood cell
count often indicates an infection