Which statement about sepsis and septic shock and initial nursing interventions is correct?

• A. Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction due to infection (Sepsis-3); septic shock is sepsis with persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors and lactate >2 mmol/L. Interventions: broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour, fluids 30 mL/kg, oxygen, cultures, source control.
• B. Sepsis is mild infection with no organ dysfunction; septic shock requires vasopressors and lactate is always normal.
• C. Antibiotics are not required in sepsis.
• D. Early antibiotics should be delayed until imaging confirms infection.

Answer: (A)

Sepsis means infection causing organ dysfunction, and septic shock is sepsis with persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors and a lactate level >2 mmol/L despite adequate fluid resuscitation. In the acute setting, the nursing plan follows the sepsis bundle: obtain blood cultures and other cultures before antibiotics if feasible, administer broad-spectrum antibiotics within about one hour of recognizing sepsis, give intravenous crystalloids at 30 mL/kg for hypotension or elevated lactate, provide supplemental oxygen to maintain adequate saturation, and pursue source control as soon as it’s identified. This combination reflects the urgency and sequence of care needed to improve outcomes in sepsis and septic shock. The other statements mischaracterize sepsis or the treatment approach—sepsis can involve organ dysfunction even if it isn’t a “mild” infection, antibiotics are essential, and delaying antibiotics until imaging confirms infection is contraindicated because early therapy saves lives.