Question

A 72-year-old man with community-acquired pneumonia on the medical ward becomes acutely more short of breath. His observations are: respiratory rate 30/min, oxygen saturations 90% on air, BP 88/52 mmHg, pulse 120/min, temperature 38.9°C, new confusion. His NEWS2 score is 9. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Escalate urgently to senior clinician and initiate Sepsis Six bundle

Answer

Increase monitoring frequency to hourly and review in 4 hours

Answer

Prescribe oral antibiotics and arrange a chest X-ray

Answer

Administer 500 mL oral fluids and repeat observations in 1 hour

Answer

Start prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin and review next morning

Practice question