SIRS can be triggered by which of the following?

SIRS can be triggered by which of the following?

• A. Only trauma
• B. Only autoimmune disease
• C. Only infection
• D. Infectious or noninfectious insults

Answer: (D)

SIRS is a systemic inflammatory reaction that occurs in response to a wide range of insults, not just infection. It can be triggered by infectious processes (which can lead to sepsis if pathogens are involved) as well as noninfectious events such as trauma, burns, pancreatitis, major surgery, or ischemia. The diagnosis hinges on meeting at least two of several objective criteria (fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea or low PaCO2, abnormal white blood cell count), regardless of the cause. Because SIRS can be set off by either infectious or noninfectious insults, the best answer reflects that broad range of triggers.

SIRS is a systemic inflammatory reaction that occurs in response to a wide range of insults, not just infection. It can be triggered by infectious processes (which can lead to sepsis if pathogens are involved) as well as noninfectious events such as trauma, burns, pancreatitis, major surgery, or ischemia. The diagnosis hinges on meeting at least two of several objective criteria (fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea or low PaCO2, abnormal white blood cell count), regardless of the cause. Because SIRS can be set off by either infectious or noninfectious insults, the best answer reflects that broad range of triggers.