Which term describes a widespread infection where the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria?

• A. Septicemia
• B. Sepsis
• C. Sepsis Syndrome
• D. Systemic Infection

Answer: (B)

Sepsis is the systemic, life-threatening response of the body to an infection that has spread beyond the local site. When bacteria (or other pathogens) overwhelm the body, the inflammatory response becomes generalized, affecting multiple organs and systems. That broad, body-wide reaction is what sepsis describes, making it the best fit for a “widespread infection” involving the bloodstream.

Ssepicemia points more narrowly to bacteria being present in the blood itself, which is a related concept but is less about the body's systemic response and more about the bloodstream infection itself. Sepsis syndrome and systemic infection are older or broader terms that don’t emphasize the critical host response, which is central to sepsis.