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Meningococcal septicaemia — DIPIMC MCQ

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HardMedical EmergenciesMeningococcal septicaemiaDIPIMCDipIMC

A teenager has a fever, headache and photophobia with a rapidly spreading non-blanching purpuric rash. He is hypotensive, and the transfer time to hospital is 25 minutes.

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Correct answer: E — Give parenteral benzylpenicillin without delaying transfer.

A non-blanching rash with features of meningococcal septicaemia warrants parenteral benzylpenicillin, given intravenously or intramuscularly, in the community when transfer will be delayed, alongside fluids and rapid transport. Antibiotics are not withheld for in-hospital cultures when sepsis is suspected. Adrenaline and steroids do not address the underlying infection.

Reference: JRCALC Clinical Guidelines