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Septic shock — MRCPCH FOP MCQ

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HardEmergency paediatricsSeptic shockMRCPCH FOP

A 3-year-old boy with fever is mottled and drowsy. He has respiratory rate 42/min, pulse 175/min, capillary refill 6 seconds and lactate 4.8 mmol/L after initial oxygen. What is the most appropriate investigation?

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Correct answer: B — Blood cultures with lactate and urgent bedside glucose

This child has suspected septic shock; blood cultures, lactate and bedside glucose are appropriate early investigations, but treatment must not be delayed. A throat swab is too low yield and should not drive acute resuscitation. CT head is not the priority before circulation support in shock. The pearl is that investigations in sepsis should run alongside oxygen, antibiotics, fluids and senior escalation.

Reference: NICE NG254 Suspected sepsis in under 16s; APLS