Which of the following is NOT a key indicator of sepsis?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Hypothermia
• C. High blood pressure
• D. Altered mental status

Answer: (C)

High blood pressure is not typically recognized as a key indicator of sepsis. In fact, during the progression of sepsis, individuals often experience hypotension, or low blood pressure, particularly in severe cases.

Conversely, tachycardia, which is an increased heart rate, is a common physiological response as the body tries to compensate for the infection and maintain adequate tissue perfusion. Hypothermia, or lower than normal body temperature, can also occur, especially in older adults, and demonstrates how the body's temperature regulation may be disrupted during an infection. Altered mental status is another critical sign, reflecting how sepsis can affect brain function due to decreased oxygen delivery or the effects of inflammatory mediators.

Therefore, recognizing that high blood pressure does not align with the typical hemodynamic changes seen in sepsis distinguishes it as the correct answer in identifying what is NOT a key indicator of the condition.