Question

A 68-year-old woman in the emergency department has suspected sepsis from pneumonia: fever 39.2 °C, blood pressure 85/50 mmHg, pulse 120 bpm, respiratory rate 28 breaths/min and lactate 4.5 mmol/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management priority in addition to fluid resuscitation?

Accepted Answer

Administer broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics within 60 minutes of recognition

Answer

Delay antibiotics until blood culture results are available

Answer

Start low-dose corticosteroids and reassess in 24 hours

Answer

Arrange transfer to a ward bed and review in the morning

Answer

Commence prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin only

Practice question

A 68-year-old woman in the emergency department has suspected sepsis from pneumonia: fever 39.2 °C, blood pressure 85/50 mmHg, pulse 120 bpm, respiratory rate 28 breaths/min and lactate 4.5 mmol/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management priority in addition to fluid resuscitation?