From peripersonal space to cognitive maps: An evolutionary perspective.

S Sepsis, defined as a dysregulated host response to infection leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction, remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It places a substantial burden on healthcare systems because of its high resource utilization, complications, economic costs, and long-term consequences for survivors. In China, sepsis continues to represent an important public health challenge, accounting for a considerable proportion of deaths nationally and showing an increasing burden in vulnerable populations such as hospitalized patients with cancer. Early recognition and timely intervention are essential to improve outcomes in sepsis. Nurses play a central role in this process because they are often the first healthcare professionals to assess patients, detect clinical deterioration, and initiate escalation of care. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) has developed evidence-based guidelines to improve sepsis outcomes, and adherence to sepsis care bundles has been associated with reduced ICU admission, shorter hospital stay, and lower mortality. In contrast, delayed initiation or incomplete implementation of bundle elements is associated with worse outcomes. However, sepsis remains difficult to identify promptly because its early manifestations are often nonspecific and variable. Sepsis screening tools and performance improvement initiatives have therefore been introduced to support earlier recognition and management.