Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Sepsis occurs when the body's immune response to infection becomes dysregulated, causing widespread tissue damage rather than contained pathogen elimination. Bacterial endotoxins and inflammatory mediators (TNF-alpha, interleukins) trigger systemic vasodilation, capillary leak, and microvascular thrombosis. This leads to tissue hypoperfusion, cellular hypoxia, and progressive organ dysfunction. Septic shock adds persistent hypotension unresponsive to fluid resuscitation, requiring vasopressors. The nurse monitors vital signs, urine output, and level of consciousness, reporting early warning signs to the nursing team.