Septic shock
Alternative Names
Bacteremic shock; Endotoxic shock; Septicemic shock; Warm shockSymptoms
- Cool, pale extremities
- High or very low temperature, chills
- Lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure, especially when standing
- Low urine output (due to kidney failure)
- Palpitations
- Rapid heart rate
- Restlessness, agitation, lethargy, or confusion
- Shortness of breath
Exams and Tests
Blood tests may be done to check for infection, low blood oxygen level, disturbances in the body's acid-base balance, or poor organ function or organ failure.
A chest x-ray may show pneumonia or pulmonary edema.
References
Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:1957.
Rakel P, ed. Conn’s Current Therapy 2005. 57th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:71.
Dellinger RP, Carlet JM, Masur H, et al. Surviving sepsis: campaign guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock. Crit Care Med. 2004;32:858-873.
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