Sepsis causes a marked metabolic response. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true concerning the metabolic response to sepsis?

a. Oxygen consumption is increased in the face of infection

c. Metabolic rate increases at a rate of approximately 10% for each increase of 1°C in central temperature

d. The extent of increase in oxygen consumption relates to the severity of the infection

Oxygen consumption is usually elevated in the infected patient. The extent of this increase is related to the severity of the infection, with peak elevations reaching 50% to 60% above normal. If the patient’s metabolic rate is already elevated to a maximal extent because of severe injury, no further increase will be observed. In patients with only a slightly accelerated rate of oxygen consumption, the presence of infection will cause a rise in metabolic rate added to the preexisting state. A portion of the increase in metabolism may be ascribed to increase in reaction rate associated with fever. Calculations suggest that the metabolic rate increases 10% to 13% for each elevation of 1°C in central temperature.