Lesson 1Pathophysiology of sepsis and septic shock: host response, organ dysfunction, and progressionExplains the body's reaction to infection, covering swelling and defence pathways, small blood vessel problems, and cell failures. Connects these to organ damage, shock worsening, and signs nurses watch in real time in Zimbabwean ICUs.
Body's defence reaction to infection in sepsisBlood vessel lining damage and fluid leakageSmall vessel and energy cell problemsFrom sepsis to septic shock: main changesOrgan failure types and SOFA ideasReal-life links to disease processesLesson 2Fluid therapy specifics: crystalloid selection, bolus strategies, and recognition of fluid overloadDiscusses choice of salt solutions, fluid doses, and speeds in early sepsis treatment. Stresses checking fluid response dynamically, spotting overload at bedside, and nurse methods to balance blood flow without causing harm in local settings.
Balanced salt vs normal saline choicesFirst fluid doses and recheck timesFixed and changing fluid response methodsBedside signs of too much fluidRecording fluid balance and overall statusTeamwork on reducing fluid strategiesLesson 3Patient safety and sepsis-related complications: acute kidney injury, coagulopathy, and need for organ supportDeals with usual sepsis issues like sudden kidney damage, blood clotting problems, breathing failure, and need for organ help. Focuses on early spotting, prevention plans, and nurse care for kidney, lung, and blood support in Zimbabwe.
Spotting and grading sudden kidney damageBlood clotting issues, DIC, and bleeding dangersBreathing failure and machine breathing helpBlood flow support past pressure drugsNurse care for kidney machine therapyStopping and early finding of problemsLesson 4Documentation and communication: recording bundle elements, escalation triggers, and handover of sepsis careExplains precise recording of sepsis care packs, vital signs changes, and actions, plus clear talk on when to raise alarms. Stresses planned handovers, loop-back talk, and lists to keep care flowing smoothly in busy wards.
Noting sepsis pack parts and timesRecording blood flow and lactate changesAlarm raising points and quick response rulesPlanned handover tools for sepsis casesTeam talk best waysLegal and quality effects of recordsLesson 5Antimicrobial stewardship and timing: empirical therapy selection, de-escalation, and culture stewardshipConcentrates on quick start of first-choice germ-killing drugs, doses, and giving in sepsis. Looks at taking samples, rechecking with new info, reducing drugs, and nurse parts in wise drug use and watching side effects.
Time for first antibiotic dose in sepsisFirst treatment choice and local germ mapsTaking samples without delaying treatmentReducing and length of treatmentWatching for drug bad effectsNurse input in wise drug meetingsLesson 6Vasopressors and inotropes: indications, dosing targets, titration, adverse effects, and common nurse-driven protocols for norepinephrineLooks at norepinephrine as main pressure drug in septic shock, covering when to use, start doses, adjusting steps, watch points, bad effects, and usual nurse-led plans, including safety and central tube issues.
When to use norepinephrine in septic shockStart doses, strength, and adjusting stepsMAP goals and blood flow watchingSpotting and handling bad effectsCentral tube use, clear flow, and leak careNurse-led pressure drug adjusting plansLesson 7Current international sepsis guidelines and bundles (Surviving Sepsis Campaign): 1‑hour and 3‑hour elementsSums up latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign rules and packs, stressing 1-hour and 3-hour parts. Points out time-key nurse actions, local plan changes, and check-back ways to boost following rules and patient results in Zimbabwe.
Main ideas of Surviving Sepsis CampaignOne-hour pack parts and nurse actionsThree-hour pack parts and orderFitting packs into ward routinesChecking following and feedback loopsChanging rules to local toolsLesson 8Hemodynamic goals in sepsis: MAP targets, lactate-guided resuscitation, and fluid responsiveness assessmentSets blood flow goals in sepsis, like MAP aims, lactate clearing, and flow signs. Reviews bedside fluid response checks and using changing measures, scans, and nurse judgement in treatment choices.
MAP aims and personal blood pressure goalsLactate changes and flow-led treatmentCapillary refill and edge flow signsChanging measures for fluid responseBedside scan role in volume checkBalancing fluids, pressure drugs, and heart boostersLesson 9Monitoring response to sepsis treatment: serial lactates, urine output, end-organ perfusion markers, and bedside clinical toolsDescribes watching sepsis treatment reply with repeat lactates, urine amount, mind state, and other end-organ signs. Covers bedside tools, recheck oftenness, and records to lead ongoing treatment and reducing.
Repeat lactate measure and meaningUrine amount goals and kidney flowBrain state and confusion checksSkin, temp, and flow checksOftenness and setup of recheck roundsChange-based records and care changesLesson 10Infection source control: principles, timelines, and nursing coordination for procedures and diagnosticsOutlines infection source stopping rules, including times, teaming scans and actions, and talk with multi-team. Highlights nurse parts in readying, moving, consent help, and after-action watching.
Finding likely infection sources earlyTime and need for source stopping actionsTeaming scans and bedside actionsBefore-action readying and safety checksAfter-action watching and problem signsNurse part in multi-team planning
