Which signs are commonly monitored as part of sepsis assessment?

• A. Tachycardia, fever or hypothermia, tachypnea, altered mental status, hypotension; spike in WBCs
• B. Hyperglycemia, bradycardia, hypothermia, hypoxia
• C. Cough and rhinorrhea
• D. Only elevated WBC is required

Answer: (D)

Sepsis assessment looks for a cluster of systemic signs that indicate the body's response to infection and potential organ involvement, not a single lab value. The most informative signs include a fast heart rate, fever or a dangerously low body temperature, rapid breathing, changes in mental status, and low blood pressure. These reflect cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic impact of sepsis. A rise in white blood cell count can support suspicion, but it isn’t required and may be absent in some patients, especially the elderly or in early sepsis. Cough and rhinorrhea point more to simple upper respiratory infections and don’t by themselves signal sepsis. So, monitoring multiple signs together provides a more accurate assessment than focusing on a single lab value.