Define SIRS, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.

• A. SIRS is systemic inflammatory response; sepsis is infection with SIRS; severe sepsis is sepsis with organ dysfunction; septic shock is sepsis with persistent hypotension despite fluids.
• B. SIRS is a localized inflammatory response; sepsis is infection without SIRS; severe sepsis is dehydration; septic shock is unrelated.
• C. SIRS is infection; sepsis is immune suppression; severe sepsis is mild infection; septic shock is allergy.
• D. SIRS is non-inflammatory; sepsis is non-infectious; severe sepsis is non-organ dysfunction; septic shock is benign.

Answer: (A)