Question

A 74-year-old man presents to the emergency department with confusion, fever 38.9°C, respiratory rate 28/min, oxygen saturation 92% on air, pulse 110 bpm and blood pressure 90/55 mmHg. His NEWS2 score is 9. There is a possible chest infection on examination. What is the most appropriate immediate management bundle?

Accepted Answer

Administer the ‘Sepsis Six’: high-flow oxygen, IV antibiotics, IV fluids, blood cultures, lactate measurement and urine output monitoring

Answer

Start oral antibiotics and review in 12 hours

Answer

Give IV fluids only and arrange review by the next on-call team

Answer

Wait for microbiology advice before starting antibiotics

Answer

Arrange urgent CT scan of chest before treating infection

Practice question