Question

A 56-year-old man presents with fever, hypotension (BP 82/48 mm Hg), tachycardia and suspected pneumonia. Lactate is 4.5 mmol/L. According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 guidelines, what is the most appropriate immediate management bundle within the first hour?

Accepted Answer

Obtain blood cultures, administer broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and begin rapid crystalloid resuscitation of at least 30 mL/kg

Answer

Administer vasopressors first, then fluids if hypotension persists

Answer

Delay antibiotics until microbiological confirmation

Answer

Restrict fluids to avoid pulmonary oedema and reassess in 6 hours

Answer

Begin corticosteroids immediately without fluids or antibiotics

Practice question

A 56-year-old man presents with fever, hypotension (BP 82/48 mm Hg), tachycardia and suspected pneumonia. Lactate is 4.5 mmol/L. According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 guidelines, what is the most appropriate immediate management bundle within the first hour?