skip to main content

Failure to recognise deterioration — SCE Acute Medicine MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateOtherFailure to recognise deteriorationSCE Acute Medicine

A 69-year-old man with pneumonia becomes acutely confused and hypoxic on the ward. NEWS2 is 9. The junior doctor has reviewed but antibiotics have not been given and observations are overdue. What is the most appropriate systems-level action after stabilising the patient?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Escalate clinically and complete a structured safety review of delayed recognition and treatment

A high NEWS2 with missed antibiotics and overdue observations represents a patient safety and deterioration-recognition failure. After immediate clinical care, the team should escalate and review system factors such as handover, observation reliability and sepsis workflow. Modern safety practice focuses on learning and risk reduction rather than blame alone.

Reference: NICE NG253; NHS PSIRF