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Sepsis and Infectious Disease Emergencies Flashcards

7 cards from real CPEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. According to current Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines for pediatrics, what is the recommended time frame for administering IV antibiotics after recognizing septic shock?

    Answer: Within 1 hour

    The Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends IV antibiotics within 1 hour of recognizing pediatric septic shock to reduce mortality.

  2. A 6-month-old presents with temperature of 38.5°C, heart rate of 180 bpm, respiratory rate of 55, and appears lethargic. What is the MOST appropriate initial intervention?

    Answer: Obtain blood cultures and start broad-spectrum antibiotics

    Blood cultures should be obtained immediately followed by empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics, as this toxic-appearing infant has a presentation highly concerning for sepsis.

  3. What is the recommended initial fluid bolus for a pediatric patient presenting in septic shock?

    Answer: 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid

    Current PALS guidelines recommend an initial fluid bolus of 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid (normal saline or Lactated Ringer's) for pediatric septic shock.

  4. Which laboratory finding is MOST consistent with severe sepsis and tissue hypoperfusion?

    Answer: Elevated serum lactate level greater than 2 mmol/L

    Elevated lactate greater than 2 mmol/L indicates anaerobic metabolism from tissue hypoperfusion and is a key diagnostic and prognostic marker in severe sepsis.

  5. A 2-year-old with septic shock receives three fluid boluses totaling 60 mL/kg with minimal hemodynamic improvement. What is the NEXT most appropriate intervention?

    Answer: Initiate vasoactive medications such as epinephrine or norepinephrine

    After adequate fluid resuscitation without improvement, vasoactive/vasopressor support should be initiated for fluid-refractory septic shock.

  6. Which presentation BEST describes 'warm shock' (hyperdynamic septic shock) in a pediatric patient?

    Answer: Bounding pulses, flash capillary refill, and wide pulse pressure

    Warm (vasodilatory) shock presents with bounding pulses, flash capillary refill, and wide pulse pressure due to decreased systemic vascular resistance.

  7. A febrile neonate aged 18 days is brought to the emergency department. The infant appears well but has a rectal temperature of 38.1°C. What is the MOST appropriate management?

    Answer: Perform full sepsis workup and admit for empiric IV antibiotics

    All neonates younger than 28 days with fever require a full sepsis evaluation (CBC, blood culture, UA/urine culture, LP, CXR) and empiric IV antibiotics due to high risk of serious bacterial infection.