Question

A 60-year-old lady underwent abdominal surgery and on the 4th post-operative day was diagnosed to have Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). What are the features of SIRS?
1. Normal body temperature and normal respiratory rate
2. WBC count > 12 × 10⁹/L or < 4 × 10⁹/L
3. Respiratory rate > 20 breaths/minute and heart rate > 90 beats/minute
4. Respiratory rate < 10 breaths/minute
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

• A. 1 and 4
• B. 1 and 2
• C. 2 and 3
• D. 2 and 4

Hint:

Recall the four SIRS parameters and remember that all of them describe an abnormal, not a normal, value.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

This question is best solved by simply checking each numbered statement against the four official SIRS criteria one at a time.

1. 1 and 4: wrong — normal temperature/respiratory rate and a low respiratory rate are not SIRS criteria at all.
2. 1 and 2: wrong — statement 1 is not a SIRS feature, even though statement 2 is correct.
3. 2 and 3: correct — statement 2 matches the WBC criterion and statement 3 matches both the tachypnea and tachycardia criteria.
4. 2 and 4: wrong — statement 4 describes bradypnea, which SIRS does not include.

Correct answer: 2 and 3.