Sepsis Recognition Quiz for Healthcare Students

1. Which of the following is the primary definition of sepsis?

Infection with fever and elevated white blood cells

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host response to infection

Bacterial contamination of the bloodstream

Systemic inflammatory response to any cause

2. Which vital sign abnormality is NOT part of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria?

Heart rate >90 bpm

Respiratory rate >20 breaths/min

Blood pressure

Body temperature 38°C

3. Which antibiotic regimen is recommended as initial empiric therapy for suspected sepsis?

Oral penicillin V

Broad-spectrum IV antibiotics covering gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobes

Antifungal agents only

Targeted therapy based on culture results

4. A septic patient requires fluid resuscitation. What is the initial crystalloid bolus recommendation in the first hour?

250 mL over 1 hour

30 mL/kg over 1 hour

1 liter over 4 hours

No fluid until cultures return

5. Which patient population has the highest mortality risk from sepsis?

Healthy young adults

Elderly with comorbidities

Athletes with minor infections

Patients with controlled diabetes only

6. Which laboratory finding is most specific for sepsis diagnosis?

Elevated lactate level

Positive blood culture

Elevated white blood cell count

Increased C-reactive protein

7. A patient with pneumonia develops hypotension requiring vasopressors and shows organ dysfunction. This clinical picture represents:

Uncomplicated infection

Sepsis without shock

Septic shock

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome

8. Which of the following is a sign of organ dysfunction in sepsis?

Platelet count >150,000/μL

Creatinine >1.2 mg/dL

Bilirubin

PaO2 >100 mmHg on room air

9. Which pathophysiologic mechanism is central to sepsis progression?

Uncontrolled vasoconstriction

Dysregulated host inflammatory and anti-inflammatory response

Direct bacterial toxin damage only

Immune system shutdown

10. A patient presents with fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status. Which qSOFA criterion is demonstrated by altered mental status?

Respiratory dysfunction

Altered mentation

Hypotension

Infection confirmed

Submit

13. A patient with urinary tract infection develops sepsis. What is the most likely source of infection?

Gram-positive cocci

Gram-negative rods (e.g., E. coli)

Fungal organisms

Viral pathogens

14. Lactate elevation in sepsis indicates:

Hepatic failure only

Tissue hypoperfusion and anaerobic metabolism

Kidney dysfunction exclusively

Sepsis is not present