SIRS stands for which of the following?

• A. Systemic inflammatory response
• B. Severe inflammatory reaction syndrome
• C. Systemic infectious response system
• D. Severe immune response syndrome

Answer: (A)

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome describes a body-wide inflammatory reaction that can follow infection, trauma, burns, or other insults. It’s characterized by observable signs such as abnormal temperature, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing (or low PaCO2), and an unusual white blood cell count, with at least two of these criteria indicating SIRS. The idea is that the inflammation is not confined to one tissue but involves the whole body.

The other phrases aren’t standard terms for this condition. It’s not a term that implies an infectious cause by itself, hence “systemic infectious response system” isn’t correct. It’s also not typically labeled as a “severe inflammatory reaction” or a “severe immune response syndrome” in the formal terminology, which is why the concise name describing a systemic inflammatory response is the best choice.