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Septic shock - Diagnosis
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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In order to diagnose septic shock as early as possible, it is rational to single out patients with a high risk of developing this pathology for special observation. These are patients with acute manifestations of infection (rapid development of a pronounced temperature reaction, the presence of recurring chills, pathological manifestations from the central nervous system and vomiting). These patients, along with the treatment of the underlying disease, need to undergo careful and regular observation according to the following parameters:
- Control measurement of blood pressure and pulse count every 30 minutes.
- Measuring body temperature every 3 hours.
- Determination of hourly diuresis, for which a permanent catheter is inserted into the bladder.
- Taking a smear from the lesion and staining it according to Gram. The detection of gram-negative flora confirms the risk of developing septic shock.
- Sowing of material from the lesion, urine and blood for bacteriological examination and determination of flora sensitivity to antibiotics. The results of the examination help to conduct targeted therapy.
- A complete blood count with mandatory platelet count. Thrombocytopenia is considered one of the early signs of septic shock.
- It is advisable to conduct a coagulogram study to determine the presence of DIC syndrome, its form (acute, chronic) and phase (hypercoagulation, hypocoagulation with local or generalized activation of fibrinolysis). If this is not possible, it is necessary to do a minimum of studies: platelet count, determination of blood clotting time, plasma fibrinogen level, presence of soluble fibrin monomer complexes (SFMC) and fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), or perform blood thromboelastography.
Evaluation of clinical observation data and laboratory tests allows us to diagnose shock and identify the degree of dysfunction of the patient's body.
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