ATI RN Infection: Urosepsis 3.0 Case Study Test

A nurse is reviewing provider prescriptions for a client who has developed sepsis from a UTI. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse implement first?

Obtain urine for culture and sensitivity. Rationale: Using the evidence-based practice priority framework, the nurse should first obtain the client's urine for culture and sensitivity. Specimens should be collected prior to the initiation of antibiotic therapy to provide the most accurate identification and amount of the causative micro-organisms.

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a UTI. Which of the following manifestations indicate the client might be developing sepsis?

Confusion Rationale: Older adult clients often display an altered level of consciousness because of an acute infection.

A nurse is reviewing lab findings for a client who has sepsis from a UTI. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Increased WBC count Rationale: The nurse should identify that WBC counts increase with infection and sepsis as the body attempts to mount an inflammatory response.

A nurse is receiving report on a client who has sepsis related to a UTI. Which of the following vital signs should the nurse expect?

Blood pressure 90/58 mm Hg Rationale: The nurse should expect a client who has sepsis from a UTI to have hypotension. Sepsis causes a systemic response in the body, resulting in dilation of blood vessels. The dilation leads to hypotension that, if not corrected, can cause a lack of perfusion and ultimately organ failure.

A nurse is caring for a client who has sepsis related to a UTI and is experiencing hypotension. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Initiate a bolus of IV fluids. Rationale: When using the airway, breathing, circulation priority framework, the first action the nurse should take is to initiate a bolus of IV fluids to raise the client's blood pressure.