Which term describes systemic inflammatory response syndrome?

• A. Systemic Inflammatory Response System
• B. Severe Inflammatory Response Syndrome
• C. Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
• D. Shock-Induced Inflammatory Response

Answer: (C)

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome describes a generalized inflammatory reaction of the body to a severe insult, such as infection, trauma, burns, or pancreatitis. It’s identified when two or more clinical features are present: fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea or low PaCO2, and abnormal white blood cell count (either leukocytosis, leukopenia, or a high percentage of immature forms). This is a systemic process, meaning it affects the whole body rather than a single area, and it can progress to organ dysfunction if the underlying trigger isn’t controlled. When the trigger is infection, this broader syndrome historically related to sepsis, though newer definitions emphasize organ dysfunction rather than relying on SIRS criteria alone. The other terms listed aren’t standard terminology for this syndrome.