Question

A 70-year-old man presents to the emergency department with fever, rigors, hypotension (BP 86/50 mmHg), tachycardia (HR 118 beats/min) and tachypnoea (RR 26 breaths/min). He is confused and has warm peripheries. Suspected source is pneumonia. According to the Australian Sepsis Clinical Care Standard, which action is the highest priority within the first hour?

Accepted Answer

Administer broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and IV fluids promptly

Answer

Obtain CT scan of chest before starting treatment

Answer

Wait for blood culture results before prescribing antibiotics

Answer

Start low-dose oral antibiotics while awaiting further investigations

Answer

Delay fluid resuscitation until transfer to intensive care

Practice question