Which sequence best describes progression from infection to septic shock?

Which sequence best describes progression from infection to septic shock?

• A. Sepsis progresses to septic shock before severe sepsis
• B. SIRS → sepsis → septic shock → severe sepsis
• C. SIRS → sepsis → severe sepsis → septic shock
• D. Severe sepsis → septic shock → SIRS

Answer: (C)

The progression being tested is how an infection can trigger a escalating systemic response that moves through distinct clinical stages. Start with a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), which is the body's generalized inflammatory reaction. When an infection drives that systemic response, it meets the definition of sepsis. If that sepsis leads to organ dysfunction, the condition is termed severe sepsis. If sepsis persists with ongoing hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation (often needing vasopressors) and poor perfusion, it evolves into septic shock. This sequence—SIRS, then sepsis from infection, then progression to organ dysfunction (severe sepsis), and finally septic shock with hemodynamic collapse—best fits the standard clinical progression. The other orders either place organ dysfunction or systemic inflammation out of the usual sequence or imply shock occurring without the preceding organ dysfunction, which doesn’t align with how the stages are defined.

The progression being tested is how an infection can trigger a escalating systemic response that moves through distinct clinical stages. Start with a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), which is the body's generalized inflammatory reaction. When an infection drives that systemic response, it meets the definition of sepsis. If that sepsis leads to organ dysfunction, the condition is termed severe sepsis. If sepsis persists with ongoing hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation (often needing vasopressors) and poor perfusion, it evolves into septic shock.

This sequence—SIRS, then sepsis from infection, then progression to organ dysfunction (severe sepsis), and finally septic shock with hemodynamic collapse—best fits the standard clinical progression. The other orders either place organ dysfunction or systemic inflammation out of the usual sequence or imply shock occurring without the preceding organ dysfunction, which doesn’t align with how the stages are defined.