Sepsis is suspected in any infant under 3 months of age until laboratory findings return. In an infant, the most important

Sepsis is suspected in any infant under 3 months of age until laboratory findings return. In an infant, the most important findings are hypothermia, bradycardia, and apnea. Tachypnea care be present in both infants and children. The nurse would be concerned with the infant’s weak cry, lethargy, and an increased work of breathing such as rate, nasal flaring, grunting, and retractions. The child with sepsis generally has an elevated temperature, but hypothermia is seen in infants. The nurse should perform a good skin assessment. If petechiae are present, it is indicative of a very serious infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis.