ICU - RN Update

I just spoke with the ICU/CCU nurse assigned to mom until 7am. He states mom has sepsis, an acute inflammation throughout her entire body. She is currently on Vancomycin. They have had trouble starting a second IV line, so she will have a PIC line inserted tomorrow morning. She will also have an abdominal CT scan to find the source of her infection. They are thinking it is either the bowels or the pancreas.

The Chest xray that was done earlier in the day was clear, no pneumonia; but signs of acute respiratory distress. She has a sinus infection and a urinary tract infection. Additional tests recently ordered were blood cultures, urine cultures, pancreatic enzymes,heart enzymes and serum lactate. Her serum lactate was 3.8. If the serum lactate is over 2, then the major organs (lungs, brain, kidneys, liver and heart) are shutting down.

The nursing staff goal for tonight is to keep an eye on her blood pressure. It is currently 107/61 and her heart rate is 82. He said not to be alarmed if they have to give her something during the night to keep her blood pressure up.