Which of the following is a criterion for suspected sepsis regarding heart rate?

In the context of suspected sepsis, one of the key criteria is a heart rate that exceeds 90 beats per minute. This elevation in heart rate, or tachycardia, can indicate that the body is responding to an infection and is trying to maintain adequate circulation to vital organs. The heart works harder when the body is experiencing sepsis or other forms of infection, leading to increased heart rates as an adaptive physiological mechanism.

Monitoring heart rate is crucial in identifying sepsis early, as it is one of the components of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria used in recognition and management. A heart rate above 90 bpm, particularly in the setting of fever or infection, is a significant indicator that warrants further evaluation for potential sepsis.

The other heart rate measures (less than 80 bpm, less than 70 bpm, and greater than 100 bpm) do not align with the typical criteria for identifying suspected sepsis. While a heart rate greater than 100 bpm could also indicate significant clinical concern, the threshold of 90 bpm is particularly noted as a key marker in sepsis assessment, making it the most relevant and informative choice in this scenario.