What is a common sign of impending sepsis in elderly clients?

In elderly clients, one common sign of impending sepsis is a lack of fever despite infection. This phenomenon occurs because the immune response in older adults often differs from that of younger individuals. As people age, their immune systems may become less effective, leading to an atypical response to infection.

In many cases, fever is a hallmark indication of infection or systemic inflammatory response, but elderly individuals may not exhibit this typical response. Instead, they might have a normal or even lowered body temperature, which can mask the presence of septic conditions. This absence of fever can make it particularly challenging to identify sepsis in this population, emphasizing the importance of other signs and symptoms, such as changes in heart rate and mental status, for early detection.

Other signs like increased heart rate can indeed be indicative of sepsis but are not as specific in the elderly demographic because various other factors, including medications or chronic conditions, can influence heart rate. Urticaria (hives) is not directly associated with sepsis; instead, it is typically linked to allergic reactions. Rapid weight gain does not correlate with sepsis either, as it may suggest fluid retention or other non-infectious processes.