PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which two conditions follow sepsis as common causes of SIRS?

1. Pancreatitis and renal failure

2. Pancreatitis and drug reactions

3. Pneumonia and pancreatitis

4. Obesity and trauma

The correct answer is: Pancreatitis and drug reactions

The correct choice identifies pancreatitis and drug reactions as common conditions that follow sepsis in the context of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Pancreatitis can develop due to the sequelae of sepsis, particularly when extensive inflammation and necrosis occur, resulting in the release of inflammatory mediators. This can escalate into a hyper-inflammatory response typical of SIRS. Similarly, drug reactions can introduce significant inflammatory processes that may mimic or exacerbate SIRS, particularly with certain medications that provoke immune responses or systemic toxicity. In contrast, although pneumonia is a well-known cause of sepsis itself, it functions more as a trigger rather than a consequence following sepsis. Renal failure, while a serious condition that can develop from sepsis, is often a complication rather than a direct cause of SIRS in the same sequence as the correct conditions specified. Obesity and trauma can lead to inflammatory states, but they are not typically seen as direct consequences of sepsis in the same way as pancreatitis or drug reactions, which are more closely associated with the progression of SIRS in the context of prior sepsis episodes.