Module 1 Discussion Post

Institution

The recent patient that I dealt with was diagnosed with Septic Shock and Urinary Tract Infection. The past medical history for the patient indicated that the patient had anxiety, cardiovascular accident, diabetes mellitus type 2, dysphagia, left hip fracture, and anemia. Understanding the medical history helps in understanding the risks of the current infection escalating. On this basis, it can be noted that the patient is diabetic, which is a large predisposing factor for urinary tract infections as people diagnosed with diabetes are noted to be more prone to UTI relative to those who are diabetic. Collecting health history data is considered to be an essential element of the diagnostic process (Jarvis, 2016). 

Sepsis shock is indicated to result as a result of sepsis, where the body reacts to an infection leading to damaging of its own tissues and organs. To ensure that the treatment of the septic shock is carried out in an effective manner, it is important to ensure that the patient is first transferred to the intensive care unit. This is because, sepsis is life-threatening and should thus be considered as a medical emergency. The first treatment that needs to be provided to the patient is antibiotic. The initial six hours are known to be vital in terms of prognosis after the revelation of sepsis symptoms and findings (Polat, Ugan, Cadirci, & Halici, 2017). It has been indicated that shock incidence is reduced by half  with the appropriate antibiotic treatment, irrespective of the underlying disease. The septic shock treatment will be largely focused on the regulating blood volume and providing enough tissue perfusion and tissues (Polat, Ugan, Cadirci, & Halici, 2017). This will require the regulation of a sufficient liquid treatment where vasoactive dugs may be included to assist the patient meet the fluid deficit. Recommendations have been issues on carrying out an erythrocyte transfusion aimed at stabilizing the hemoglobin amount between 7 and 9 g/dL. It is will also be essential to ensure that metabolic support is offered to the patient to avoid malnutrition. 

References

Jarvis, C. (2016). Physical examination & health assessment (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier

Polat, G., Ugan, R. A., Cadirci, E., & Halici, Z. (2017). Sepsis and septic shock: current treatment strategies and new approaches. The Eurasian journal of medicine, 49(1), 53.