R65.21 — Severe sepsis with septic shock

R65.21

ICD-10 Chapter 18: Symptoms, Signs & Abnormal Findings — illustrative image — Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00–R99) — illustrative image

What this code means

Severe sepsis with septic shock: sepsis with organ dysfunction and blood pressure too low despite fluids.

Also called: septic shock, severe sepsis with septic shock.

When this code is used

Used for severe sepsis with septic shock, alongside the infection code.

Where it sits in ICD-10-CM

Code R65.21 belongs to Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified, which covers codes R00–R99 in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM tabular list. The official description above is copied verbatim from the CDC/NCHS FY2027 code file.

Related symptoms

Fever

Watch: related videos

▶ WatchSepsis and septic shock

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10-CM code R65.21?

R65.21 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for “Severe sepsis with septic shock”. Severe sepsis with septic shock: sepsis with organ dysfunction and blood pressure too low despite fluids.

When is code R65.21 used?

Used for severe sepsis with septic shock, alongside the infection code. It belongs to Chapter 18 of ICD-10-CM (Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified).

This guide explains ICD-10-CM codes in plain language for patients, students and other readers. It is educational information only — not coding, billing or medical advice. The code recorded for any real encounter is assigned from the full clinical documentation by the treating team and qualified coders, and only they can decide which code fits a specific case.