Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) is a spectrum of clinical symptoms and signs caused by an infection that leads to sepsis and septic shock, putting strain on organs and causing dysfunction. Patients require hospitalization and medical support to recover. Organs involved may include the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. Critical care nurses may be assigned to patients with MODS, and the goal is to eventually graduate patients to the point where they can function independently and go home.
Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) is a process involving systemic breakdown of organ systems, leading the patient to need clinical support to survive. Rather than a specific diagnosis, it is a spectrum of clinical symptoms and signs. Patients typically require hospitalization, often in an intensive care unit, to receive adequate treatment. This syndrome has survived in some cases, but can cause serious complications.
The process typically begins with an infection, which could be the result of a communicable disease, a reaction to surgery or trauma, or other events. The infection develops into sepsis and then into septic shock, as infectious agents travel through the body and the patient develops a systemic inflammatory response. This puts strain on the organs and leads to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome as the internal organs struggle to cope with the disease. One or more organs may be involved.
This used to be known as “organ failure,” but this terminology is not entirely correct. When an organ fails, there is no way to recover function and the patient needs lifelong support or a transplant. In patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, it is possible to recover. These patients need medical support to maintain homeostasis as their bodies fight infection and begin to heal. The level of support needed may depend on organ involvement.
Organs that may be involved may include the liver, kidneys, lungs and heart. The gastrointestinal tract may also be dysfunctional, and some patients develop skin involvement. Patients typically have high white blood cell counts and may develop fever, rapid heart rate, and hyperventilation. Some medical interventions to help a patient with multiple organ failure syndrome may include intravenous fluids to maintain hydration, dialysis for damaged kidneys, and mechanical ventilation to support patients who cannot breathe on their own. Problems with heart rate can be solved with mechanical stimulation.
Such patients are extremely unstable and require close monitoring. In some cases one or more critical care nurses may be specifically assigned to a particular patient with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome to provide ongoing interventions and treatment. If the patient experiences complications, the care plan can be adapted to address the situation. As patients enter recovery, they may enter decommissioned units where nursing care is less intensive and fewer interventions are provided. The goal is to eventually graduate patients to the point where they can function independently and go home.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
