A respiratory therapist has intubated a child with septic shock who has also received intravenous fluids and vasopressors. What condition could explain a lack of response to therapy?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When septic shock is refractory to fluid and/or catecholamines, consideration must also be given to adrenal insufficiency as a component of the shock state, particularly in patients who are at risk for impairment in their hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis or who have had a history of steroid exposure. In such patients, the clinical status may not improve unless the patient receives "stress-dose" steroids with hydrocortisone.

A Respiratory Therapist Has Intubated a Child with Septic Shock