QLexNursing

✅ Oxygen Saturation

💠 The client’s oxygen saturation improved from 91% on room air (Day 1) to 95% on room air (Day 3). This shows better tissue oxygenation and pulmonary function after initial sepsis management.

💠 Clinical significance: Adequate oxygen delivery is essential during sepsis recovery since tissue hypoxia leads to lactic acid buildup and organ dysfunction. Improved oxygen saturation demonstrates that perfusion and gas exchange have stabilized without supplemental O₂.

💠 Nursing implication: Continue monitoring respiratory effort and SpO₂ trends, maintaining oxygen therapy only if levels drop below 92%.

✅ Lactic Acid

🔷 Lactic acid decreased from 4.1 mmol/L to 2.1 mmol/L, returning to the normal range (0.6–2.2 mmol/L).

🔷 Interpretation: Lactic acid levels reflect tissue perfusion and oxygenation. Elevated levels on Day 1 indicated septic shock with anaerobic metabolism. The normalization on Day 3 confirms improved perfusion, effective fluid resuscitation, and resolution of tissue hypoxia.

🔷 Nursing implication: Continue IV fluid and antibiotic therapy; monitor trends to ensure continued metabolic recovery.

✅ Blood Pressure

🟢 Blood pressure improved from 80/52 mm Hg (hypotensive) to 112/60 mm Hg, indicating restoration of hemodynamic stability.

🟢 Clinical meaning: The rise suggests effective management of sepsis-related hypotension, improved cardiac output, and adequate vascular tone after fluids and possible vasopressor therapy.

🟢 Nursing implication: Maintain BP monitoring to detect early hypotension recurrence and support ongoing hemodynamic improvement.

✅ Urine

🔶 The client now has clear, yellow urine draining through the catheter, compared to low output (35 mL/hr) earlier.

🔶 Clinical meaning: Adequate urine output and clear color demonstrate improved renal perfusion and reversal of prerenal azotemia associated with sepsis.

🔶 Nursing implication: Continue to assess I&O, color, and clarity to ensure ongoing kidney function recovery.