Question

A 72-year-old man living in a remote community presents with fever, confusion and hypotension. He is tachycardic and has a presumed diagnosis of sepsis secondary to pneumonia. The nearest tertiary hospital is 400 km away; retrieval will take several hours. According to sepsis care principles applicable to rural settings, what is the most important immediate management priority after securing the airway?

Accepted Answer

Administer broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and an initial 30 mL/kg crystalloid bolus as soon as possible

Answer

Obtain CT imaging before treatment

Answer

Wait for blood culture results before starting antibiotics

Answer

Start low-dose dopamine infusion before fluids

Answer

Transfer immediately without any treatment while awaiting retrieval

Practice question