Suspected sepsis postpartum — DRCOG MCQ

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EasyPostnatalSuspected sepsis postpartumDRCOG

A 22-year-old woman three days after birth has fever, tachycardia and offensive lochia. What is the most appropriate investigation?

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Correct answer: A — Full sepsis screen including blood cultures

Full sepsis screen including blood cultures is the best answer because the vignette is testing Suspected sepsis postpartum and the recommended approach is consistent with NICE NG51; NICE NG194. The other tests may be useful in different pathways, but they would not be the most direct first investigation for this presentation. Specifically, Serum CA125; Newborn bilirubin measurement; 75 g oral glucose tolerance test; Thyroid function tests would be suboptimal in this scenario. The first investigation should answer the immediate clinical question and follow the relevant UK pathway.

Reference: NICE NG51; NICE NG194