Need help understanding the treatment of SIRS

Nursing Students Student Assist

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*just SIRS, not sepsis

I haven't been able to find a definitive answer. The only two sources I found online stated that the Tx is fluids and treating the condition that incited the SIRS. Why would you not use a fibrinolytic agent or anticoagulant to deal with the micro clots that form? Or steroids to tamper down the inflammation?

What is the main goal of SIRS Tx? to stop the inflammation? Will that in turn take care of the clots?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I don't think the micro clots are dealt with so early on in the SIRS to septic shock cascade, but a steroid may be used to depending on the situation.

First line treatment is antibiotics.

Also will treat fever with tylenol and fluids.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I think you have good thoughts, but the evidence doesn't bear out either treatment.

About 7 or 8 years ago there was a drug developed called Xigris, that was supposed to treat the micro clots. The drug company fudged the effectiveness to get it on the market. Turned out, not only was it very expensive, but it didn't really help.

Again, steroids should help, but they only do it selected instances. I think they are recommended on a trial basis, when nothing else is helping.

As per previous posts, fluids, pressors, and treat the underlying cause.

I wondered if plasmapheresis to remove circulating cytokines might help.

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