In the SIRS/sepsis continuum, sepsis is diagnosed when?

In the SIRS/sepsis continuum, sepsis is diagnosed when?

• A. When an infectious source is identified
• B. With fever
• C. With WBC elevation
• D. After 2L fluids

Answer: (A)

Sepsis is SIRS in the setting of an infection. The inflammatory response by itself isn’t enough to call something sepsis; you need an infectious source triggering that response. Fever or an elevated WBC can occur with many noninfectious conditions, so they don’t by themselves diagnose sepsis. When an infectious source is identified (or highly suspected) alongside SIRS criteria, that’s when sepsis is diagnosed. Treating with fluids is part of management, not the diagnostic criterion.

Sepsis is SIRS in the setting of an infection. The inflammatory response by itself isn’t enough to call something sepsis; you need an infectious source triggering that response. Fever or an elevated WBC can occur with many noninfectious conditions, so they don’t by themselves diagnose sepsis. When an infectious source is identified (or highly suspected) alongside SIRS criteria, that’s when sepsis is diagnosed. Treating with fluids is part of management, not the diagnostic criterion.