A 70-year-old man from a remote community presents with fever, confusion and neck stiffness. You are the only doctor at a small rural hospital with li...

Question

A 70-year-old man from a remote community presents with fever, confusion and neck stiffness. You are the only doctor at a small rural hospital with limited resources. Before transfer to a tertiary centre, what is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Start broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics as soon as possible

Answer

Observe without treatment until transfer

Answer

Delay antibiotics until lumbar puncture can be performed at the tertiary centre

Answer

Give oral antibiotics only

Answer

Start corticosteroids alone

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Suspected bacterial meningitis in rural setting

A 70-year-old man from a remote community presents with fever, confusion and neck stiffness. You are the only doctor at a small rural hospital with limited resources. Before transfer to a tertiary centre, what is the most appropriate immediate management?