Reference no: EM133445178

Mrs Lucy is an 86 year old woman who presents to the Emergency Department at 0300 hours following a trip and fall at home as she was ambulating to the toilet. She has a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation and is taking regular warfarin. Her BP is 102/50mmHg, HR: 110 beats/min and RR: 22 breaths/minute, Temperature 38.8. She is complaining of pain in her left wrist and left ankle. There is obvious swelling to her left ankle, and she is unable to weight bear. Mrs Lucy is the carer for her husband who is aged 89 and has dementia. On arrival her GCS was 15/15, however, it is now 0500 and her GCS has decreased to 14/15 as she appears to be disorientated to her location and is attempting to climb out of bed. She has an IV cannula in her right cubi-fossa and bloods have been sent.

1. Mrs Lucy is for admission as she has sustained a left ulna fracture and has a soft tissue injury to her ankle. She is waiting for a ward bed to become available. Mrs Lucy is complaining of feeling hot and uncomfortable - blood results are not yet available, however, based on her clinical signs and symptoms, it appears that this has progressed to a systemic level and indicates sepsis.

2. Discuss the pathophysiology of sepsis and the potential signs and symptoms that Mrs Lucy has or could develop. Your answer should demonstrate how the normal physiology is altered, how her vital signs may be altered and why. In addition, provide a discussion of immediate management for Mrs Lucy in the Emergency Department.