Question

A 56-year-old man collapses with fever, rigors and hypotension 2 days after laparotomy for bowel obstruction. BP is 82/48 mmHg, HR 130 beats/min, RR 28 breaths/min and lactate 4.5 mmol/L. According to Australian sepsis guidelines, what is the most appropriate immediate management bundle within the first hour?

Accepted Answer

Administer intravenous fluids, obtain cultures, give broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and start vasopressors if hypotension persists after fluid resuscitation

Answer

Give antipyretics and observe for 6 hours

Answer

Start low-dose oral antibiotics while awaiting cultures

Answer

Delay antibiotics until imaging identifies the infection source

Answer

Begin high-dose steroids as first-line treatment

Practice question