Question

Irritable 6 yo girl with mottled skin; 104 fever; extremities are cold with capillary refill of 5 seconds

Distal pulses are absent and central pulses are weak. Heart rate is 180/min, respiratory rate is 45/min, and blood pressure is 98/56 mmHg.

How would you categorize this child's condition?

Answer 1

This child's condition can be categorized as septic shock, a life-threatening condition characterized by a severe infection that leads to low blood pressure and organ dysfunction.

Step-by-step explanation:

This child's condition can be categorized as septic shock. Septic shock is a life-threatening condition characterized by a severe infection that leads to low blood pressure and organ dysfunction. The symptoms described, such as high fever, mottled skin, cold extremities, weak central pulses, and rapid heart and respiratory rates, are consistent with septic shock.

Septic shock occurs when the body's response to an infection becomes exaggerated, leading to widespread inflammation and organ damage. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention for this child to receive proper treatment, including antibiotics and intravenous fluids to stabilize blood pressure.

Keywords: septic shock, infection, low blood pressure, organ dysfunction, high fever, mottled skin, cold extremities, weak central pulses, rapid heart rate, rapid respiratory rate, immediate medical attention