The Health Corner: Nursing and Sepsis

Helping Patients Survive

Sepsis has become one of the most devastating conditions causing serious implications on healthcare worldwide. For this reason, nurses need to be knowledgeable about the clinical presentations for prompt intervention.

What Is Sepsis?

A condition of an infection caused by a response to any germ (bacterial, fungal or vial) that has entered and spread throughout the body. This can be potentially life threatening as it causes severe inflammation in response to chemicals released into the bloodstream. It occurs anywhere in the body but more commonly the brain, bloodstream, heart, kidneys, and lungs.

Risk Factors

·         immunosuppressive diseases (HIV and cancer patients)

·         chronic illness (diabetes and cardiovascular disease)

·         children and the elderly

·         persons who have undergone invasive procedures (intravenous line, surgery)

·         drug -resistant bacteria (bacteria resistant to antibiotics)

·         wound and injuries

·          ICU patients

Signs and Symptoms

Sepsis is categorized into three categories. Treating the condition in its earliest stage helps to prevent progression of the infection.

 Sepsis

Diagnosis is made when at least two of the following symptoms are present:

Fever above 101F or below 96.8 F

Rapid heartbeat greater than 90beats/ minute

Rapid breathing greater than 20breaths/ minute

Possible or confirmed infection

Severe Sepsis

Diagnosis is made when there is an indication of organ failure and presents with one of the following:

Chills

Weakness

Confusion

Significant decrease in urine output

Difficulty breathing

Unconsciousness

Septic Shock

Diagnosis is made with any of the signs and symptoms of severe sepsis along with extremely low blood pressure.

How Nurses Can Help Prevent Sepsis

Early detection and intervention can improve a patient’s chances of survival.  With careful nursing assessment, nurses can quickly identify signs and symptoms, initiate a plan of care and adjust according to the effectiveness of interventions.

The following are recommended:

            Know signs and symptoms

            Assess patients at risk of developing sepsis (post operatives, open wounds)

Clean or change IV lines, catheters and breathing tubes as required to prohibit growth of microorganisms

Maintain aseptic techniques

Meticulous hand washing

Administer antibiotic treatment as ordered

Teach patient to recognize complications

The Health Corner: Women and Heart Disease

Compared to breast cancer, heart disease, also known as Coronary Heart Disease, is the leading cause of death of women in the United States. It affects all ethnicities, but is more prevalent in African Americans and whites,

Prevalence

Statistics have shown that since 1984, more women than men have died from heart disease. It accounts for 1 in 3 female deaths each year, that is, one woman succumbing to the disease approximately every minute. Data has revealed that an estimated 43 million women in the U.S are affected and that 90 percent has one or two risk factors that will lead to developing this. Even with an increase in awareness in the past 30years, only 54 percent of women acknowledge this disease to be their number one killer, and for that, many women will die suddenly with no prior symptoms.

Cause of Heart Disease

Heart disease is caused by narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries by the build up of plague, a process known as atherosclerosis. Over time, it impedes or stops blood flow, causing tissue death, resulting in heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmia, and stroke.

           

Risk Factors

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Overweight or obesity

Depression or stress

Diabetes

Family history of heart disease

You are also at risk if you:

Smoke

Have Poor diet and nutrition

Drink alcohol excessively

Being physically inactive

Reducing the Chances of Heart Disease

In reducing the chances of getting heart disease, women need to be more proactive about their health. Regular doctor visits allow for early diagnoses and treatment. Other preventative measures include:

-controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

            -quit smoking

-eating healthy

-exercising

-weight control

-limit alcohol intake

-lower stress levels

-know your family health history

ItsMelissaKay: "YOU"

ItsMelissaKay: "YOU": Today I saw "YOU" for the first time imprinted on a black and white card A face, not yet recognizable but to me it was the...

"YOU"

Today I saw "YOU" for the first time
imprinted on a black and white card
A face, not yet recognizable
but to me it was the perfect start.

Your limbs so tiny outstretched in comfort 
as your body coil up to fit in mine
Oh how I felt such a deep rush of love
from my heart all the way down to my spine.

Your head, mighty larger than the rest
How on earth will that pass through the tunnel?
With such a narrow passage-way ahead
Cold sweat, please hand me that towel!

What a wonderful feeling to have 
knowing a life inside you grows
Not knowing what really lies ahead
Only God himself knows

I'm super excited to meet "YOU"
my little bundle of joy
So until then, keep growing fast 
My beautiful girl or handsome boy.