Arizona State University (ASU) NUR 426 Health and Illness Concepts Advanced Exam 1 Practice

Which statement best defines septic shock in terms of hemodynamic status and lactate?

Septic shock does not involve hypotension.

Septic shock is sepsis with hypotension that responds to fluids.

Septic shock is sepsis with hypotension requiring vasopressors but no rise in lactate.

Septic shock is sepsis with persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors and elevated lactate.

Septic shock is a form of sepsis where circulatory and metabolic problems are severe enough to cause persistent low blood pressure that requires ongoing vasopressor support to maintain a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of at least 65 mmHg, together with evidence of cellular/metabolic dysfunction indicated by an elevated lactate level (usually >2 mmol/L) despite adequate fluid resuscitation. This combination—vasopressor-dependent hypotension plus elevated lactate—distinguishes septic shock from sepsis without shock or from sepsis with hypotension that resolves with fluids or from hypotension with vasopressors but normal lactate.