• Caroline Riddell and Bronagh Blackwood.
• Intensive Care Unit, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, UK. mridd@allstate.com
• Nurs Crit Care. 2006 Jan 1;11(1):7-15.

AbstractThis article presents a case study of a 49-year-old male admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) via Accident and Emergency following a collapse at home with a diagnosis of severe sepsis. The pathophysiology of sepsis is discussed together with a physiological assessment of the patient's cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems, coagulation and metabolic responses. The discussion focuses on the period from ICU admission to commencement of drotrecogin alpha (activated) treatment (also known as recombinant human activated protein C). The management of sepsis and the treatment the patient received are outlined with particular focus on the strategic and procedural issues of the drug administration. The article concludes by presenting nursing clinical guidelines which will provide helpful guidance for nurses when caring for patients receiving drotrecogin alpha (activated) treatment. This is especially welcome, as drotrecogin alpha (activated) is internationally recommended in the treatment of severe sepsis.

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