Question

A 63-year-old man presents to a small rural hospital with suspected septic shock from pneumonia. He is febrile, hypotensive at 85/50 mmHg and tachycardic. The retrieval service estimates arrival in 2 hours. What is the most appropriate immediate management in this setting?

Accepted Answer

Give 30 mL/kg intravenous crystalloid and start broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics within 60 minutes

Answer

Wait for retrieval before starting any treatment

Answer

Restrict fluids to avoid pulmonary oedema and give oral antibiotics

Answer

Start high-dose corticosteroids alone

Answer

Delay antibiotics until blood cultures are processed

Practice question

A 63-year-old man presents to a small rural hospital with suspected septic shock from pneumonia. He is febrile, hypotensive at 85/50 mmHg and tachycardic. The retrieval service estimates arrival in 2 hours. What is the most appropriate immediate management in this setting?