Question

A 19-year-old university student presents with fever, severe headache, photophobia and a purpuric rash on the trunk. He is drowsy but rousable. You are the GP seeing him at home. What is the single most important immediate action before arranging urgent transfer to hospital?

Accepted Answer

Give intramuscular Benzylpenicillin

Answer

Take blood cultures

Answer

Give oral Amoxicillin

Answer

Give intramuscular Dexamethasone

Answer

Give Paracetamol and observe for 2 hours

Practice question

A 19-year-old university student presents with fever, severe headache, photophobia and a purpuric rash on the trunk. He is drowsy but rousable. You are the GP seeing him at home. What is the single most important immediate action before arranging urgent transfer to hospital?