Fast Five Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome?

Michael R. Pinksy, MD, CM, Dr(HC), FCCP, MCCM

February 12, 2018

Respiratory rate is the most sensitive marker of the severity of illness. Although low blood pressure is not a criterion for SIRS, it is still an important marker. If the blood pressure is low, the establishment of intravenous access and fluid resuscitation is of utmost importance. Frank hypotension associated with SIRS is uncommon unless the patient is septic or severely dehydrated (hypotension may lead to the patient being admitted or transferred to a higher acuity unit).

Patients at the extremes of age (both young and old) may not manifest typical criteria for SIRS; therefore, clinical suspicion may be required to diagnose a serious illness (either infectious or noninfectious).

For more on the presentation of SIRS, read here.

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Cite this: Michael R. Pinksy. Fast Five Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome? - Medscape - Feb 12, 2018.

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