Question

A 79-year-old woman in a care home presents with acute confusion, agitation and a temperature of 39.1°C. Her respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute, pulse 110 beats per minute, BP 94/58 mmHg and oxygen saturation 92% on air. Her National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) is calculated as 7. What is the most appropriate immediate action in the emergency department?

Accepted Answer

Start the Sepsis Six bundle and urgently escalate to the medical registrar or critical care outreach

Answer

Prescribe oral antibiotics and review in 12 hours

Answer

Give paracetamol and arrange routine blood tests

Answer

Obtain a CT scan before starting treatment

Answer

Wait for blood culture results before starting antibiotics

Practice question