A 72-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with suspected sepsis. The patient displays tachypnea, tachycardia, hypotension, and altered mental status. In addition to initiating fluid resuscitation and blood cultures, which intervention is most appropriate for managing this patient?
Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics is the most appropriate intervention for managing a patient with suspected sepsis after initial stabilization steps like fluid resuscitation and obtaining cultures. Antibiotics are crucial as early antibiotic therapy has been shown to significantly reduce mortality in septic patients by targeting possible bacterial infections driving the septic process. Vasopressors are important for supporting blood pressure but are typically considered after ensuring adequate fluid resuscitation. Obtaining an electrocardiogram is helpful for ruling out cardiac events but does not address the immediate need to manage infection in sepsis. Continuous renal replacement therapy would be considered in cases of renal failure secondary to sepsis, not as an initial step.
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