How many sepsis criteria indicate a high index of suspicion for sepsis?

How many sepsis criteria indicate a high index of suspicion for sepsis?

• A. 1
• B. 2 or more
• C. 3 or more
• D. 4

Answer: (B)

Two or more of the sepsis criteria indicate a high index of suspicion. In the qSOFA bedside screen, the three criteria are: respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute or higher, altered mental status, and systolic blood pressure of 100 mmHg or less. If two or more are present, the patient is at higher risk of sepsis and poor outcomes, so it’s appropriate to escalate care and move promptly toward sepsis protocol activation and rapid transport. A single criterion can be caused by many non-sepsis conditions, so it’s not enough on its own to confirm sepsis.

Two or more of the sepsis criteria indicate a high index of suspicion. In the qSOFA bedside screen, the three criteria are: respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute or higher, altered mental status, and systolic blood pressure of 100 mmHg or less. If two or more are present, the patient is at higher risk of sepsis and poor outcomes, so it’s appropriate to escalate care and move promptly toward sepsis protocol activation and rapid transport. A single criterion can be caused by many non-sepsis conditions, so it’s not enough on its own to confirm sepsis.