Acute Life Threatening Conditions

Running head: ACUTE LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS
ACUTE LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS
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1ACUTE LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS
Question 1
As evident from the case study, the patient in question, Mr. Kirkman is suffering from
sepsis acquired due to the aggravation of the symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection,
also known as urosepsis. A urinary tract infection, also known as a UTI, is associated with the
acquisition of pathogenic infiltration and the resultant acquisition of detrimental symptoms,
which if left untreated, can result in transmission of infections across the urethra, the urinary
bladder, the ureters and across the entirety of the urinary tract to the kidneys further affecting
renal and excretory functioning (Lee & Kuo, 2017). The acquisition of a urinary tract infection
may be caused due to bacterial or fungal pathogenic microbial strains which easily enter the
urethra due to unhygienic toileting surroundings, inappropriate wiping after urinating or
engagement in unprotected sexual activity (Schaeffer & Nicolle, 2016). This results in
emergence of symptoms such as feelings of irritation and burning during irritation, feelings of
inadequate urination, release of urine which may be highly dark, thick and concentrated and pain
in the lower abdominal area radiating towards the kidney or the right flank – as observed
extensively in Mr. Kirkman who presented for treatment with these symptoms (Hu, Granger &
Jeffery, 2016).
While the body’s natural defense mechanism of immunity attempt to ward off the
impending infectious transmission, lack of timely mitigation and increased rates of immune
functioning associated inflammation may ultimate result in disease proliferation to the kidneys
hence affecting normal renal functioning (Chung, Katz & Love, 2017). It is worthwhile to recall
that the kidneys are key drivers in the excretion of nitrogenous wastes such as urea, creatinine
and maintenance of adequate levels of electrolytes in the serum (Flores-Mireles et al., 2015).

2ACUTE LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS
Indeed, taking insights from the reports of Mr. Kirkman, the higher than normal serum levels of
sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine in the blood are a clear indication of a loss of normal
renal functioning due to the aggravation and transmission of UTI towards the kidneys.
Disease progression towards an acquisition of sepsis occurs due to increased transmission
of infection via the bloodstream and towards the additional organs of the body. The body
attempts to mitigate the harmful dissemination via increased immune response exertion and
proliferation of T-cell induced inflammatory mechanisms (Peach et al., 2016). However,
alterations in the body’s response towards such defense processes triggers malfunctioning
immune responses, a cascade of pathologies resulting in multiple organ damage and hence,
septic shock. Due to the same, symptoms associated with sepsis emerge and include and altered
state of mental orientation, increased rate of respiration and an alarming drop in blood pressure
to abnormal levels (Dreger et al., 2015). The same can be observed in terms of the symptoms of
deterioration presented by Mr. Kirkman, who at present is unable to engage in normal cognitive
functioning and speech, has a higher than normal rate of respiration, slight increase in body
temperature, an extremely low blood pressure, elevated levels of hypoxia evidence by low partial
pressure of oxygen and flushing of his face.
Question 2
The key nursing priority to be addressed here, as per the Australian Therapeutic
Guidelines is nursing prevention of infection (Kimble, 2016). Taking insights from the
pathologies highlighted above, it must be noted that the primary causative factor underlying the
septic condition of the patient is his urinary tract infection, which has been further caused due to
infection of the urinary tract by pathological strains. It must be remembered that aggravation of