Infectious diseases: Sepsis-3 definition: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Infectious diseases: Sepsis-3 definition

Sample item

According to Sepsis-3, which statement defines sepsis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Life-threatening organ dysfunction due to dysregulated host response, with SOFA score rise of 2 or more

Sepsis-3 defines sepsis as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, represented by an acute rise in SOFA score of 2 points or more. qSOFA is a bedside screen using altered mentation, respiratory rate of 22 or more and systolic pressure of 100 or less. SIRS criteria are no longer used for the definition.

Option by option

  • A. Life-threatening organ dysfunction due to dysregulated host response, with SOFA score rise of 2 or more (correct)

    Correct. This matches Sepsis-3.

  • B. Infection with two SIRS criteria

    SIRS-based definitions are outdated.

  • C. Positive blood culture alone

    Bacteraemia alone is not sepsis.

  • D. Fever with leucocytosis

    Fever and leucocytosis are nonspecific.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Life-threatening organ dysfunction due to dysregulated host response, with SOFA score rise of 2 or more. Sepsis-3 defines sepsis as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, represented by an acute rise in SOFA score of 2 points or more.

Why is "Infection with two SIRS criteria" not the answer?

SIRS-based definitions are outdated.

Why is "Positive blood culture alone" not the answer?

Bacteraemia alone is not sepsis.

Why is "Fever with leucocytosis" not the answer?

Fever and leucocytosis are nonspecific.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: Sepsis-3 definition in General Medicine. qSOFA is a bedside screen using altered mentation, respiratory rate of 22 or more and systolic pressure of 100 or less. SIRS criteria are no longer used for the definition.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infectious diseases: Sepsis-3 definition?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.