The international guideline committee for diagnosis of septic shock recommends obtaining appropriate cultures that may include at least two blood cultures, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, wounds, respiratory secretions, or other body fluid cultures before antimicrobial therapy is initiated. If such cultures do not cause significant delay in antibiotic administration, then other tests that may be done include blood gases, kidney function tests, platelet count, white blood cell count, blood differential, fibrin degradation products, and peripheral smear.
1. The guideline committee recommends obtaining appropriate cultures before antimicrobial therapy is initiated if such cultures do not cause significant delay in antibiotic administration. To optimize identification of causative organisms, the committee recommends at least two blood cultures be obtained prior to antibiotics with at least one drawn percutaneously and one drawn through each vascular access device, unless the device was recently (less than 48 hours) inserted. Cultures of other sites (preferably quantitative where appropriate) such as urine, cerebrospinal fluid, wounds, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids that may be the source of infection should also be obtained before antibiotic therapy if not associated with significant delay in antibiotic administration. (Grade 1C)
2. The guideline committee recommends that imaging studies be performed promptly in attempts to confirm a potential source of infection. Sampling of potential sources of infection should occur as they are identified; however, some patients may be too unstable to warrant certain invasive procedures or transport outside of the ICU. Bedside studies, such as ultrasound, are useful in these circumstances. (Grade 1C)
Sepsis laboratory findings
Cardiogenic shock laboratory findings
Shock laboratory findings
Heat stroke laboratory findings
Tumor lysis syndrome diagnostic criteria
Tumor lysis syndrome electrocardiogram
Tumor lysis syndrome laboratory findings
Toxic shock syndrome diagnostic criteria