A 91-year-old woman with a CFS of 7 and advanced dementia develops a temperature of 38.2°C and a respiratory rate of 22/min. She is producing purulent...

Question

A 91-year-old woman with a CFS of 7 and advanced dementia develops a temperature of 38.2°C and a respiratory rate of 22/min. She is producing purulent sputum. She has been on the GP palliative care register for 3 months. She does not have a ReSPECT form or DNACPR. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?

Accepted Answer

Initiate an urgent advance care planning discussion with the patient (if any residual capacity), family, and care team to establish goals of care and treatment preferences

Answer

Immediately transfer to hospital for IV antibiotics

Answer

Prescribe oral antibiotics and await deterioration before planning

Answer

Withhold all treatment as she is on the palliative care register

Answer

Start morphine for symptom control without treating the infection

uk-dgm MCQ (SBA): Advance Care Planning in Acute Illness