Question

A 76-year-old woman in a rural town presents with new confusion, fever 39.2°C, tachycardia and hypotension. She has a productive cough and coarse crackles in the right lung base. What is the MOST appropriate immediate management in the small rural ED?

Accepted Answer

Give IV fluids, oxygen, obtain blood cultures and start empiric IV antibiotics before transfer

Answer

Start oral amoxicillin and discharge with close GP follow-up

Answer

Wait for chest X-ray confirmation before starting antibiotics

Answer

Give paracetamol only and observe for 6 hours

Answer

Arrange immediate transfer without any treatment while awaiting retrieval team

Practice question

A 76-year-old woman in a rural town presents with new confusion, fever 39.2°C, tachycardia and hypotension. She has a productive cough and coarse crackles in the right lung base. What is the MOST appropriate immediate management in the small rural ED?