Which of the following is an early sign of sepsis in adults?

• A. Fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and altered mental status.
• B. Only fever.
• C. Rash and joint pain.
• D. Headache and nausea.

Answer: (A)

Sepsis starts with the body's widespread inflammatory response to infection, which shows up as a cluster of vital sign changes and mental status alterations. The earliest and most telling signs include fever or an abnormally low temperature (hypothermia) along with a fast heart rate and rapid breathing. As the body reacts, blood pressure can fall and the patient may become confused or have changes in awareness. Together, these elements reflect the body’s systemic struggle to control infection and maintain perfusion, signaling the need for urgent assessment and treatment. Fever alone can occur with many illnesses and doesn’t indicate a systemic response, while rash with joint pain or just headache and nausea are less specific and don’t reliably point to early sepsis.