Respiratory Failure Case Study

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Sepsis and Respiratory Failure
Sepsis is defined as systemic inflammatory response syndrome in response to infection, and, when associated with acute organ dysfunction, it is considered severe sepsis (Durthaler, Ernest, & Johnston, 2009, p.45). As describe on the case study, septic patients can show a multi system infection process in response to the invading microorganism like bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses.
What is the process involved in sepsis?
The process involved in sepsis consists of the invasion of microorganisms and the release of proinflammatory cytokines in response to the endotoxins found in the microorganism’s cell wall. Then, the normal immune cascade response is exaggerated in severe sepsis, which leads to organ dysfunction. (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Bucher, & Camera, 2011, p.1723).
How the body responds to sepsis and what are the signs and symptoms?
Septic shock is suspected in the patient of the
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Once acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) develops, patients need intubation and mechanical ventilation. Harcombe (2004) defined ARDS as a form of respiratory failure resulting from a variety of direct or indirect pulmonary injuries (p.33). The acute phase of ARDS is associated to the damage of the alveolar epithelial cells combined with the destruction of elastin and collagen. This damage results in impaired production and function of surfactant, and subsequent collapsing the lung (Harcombe, 2004, p.34).
Following the initial injury phase, there is engorgement of the peribronchial and perivascular interstitial space, which produces interstitial edema. Then, alveolar edema occurs when the interstitial fluid crosses the alveolar membrane. As ARDS progress, the lungs become less compliant as a result of pulmonary edema, decreased surfactant, and the collapse lungs (Lewis et al., 2011,