- Other obs and NEWS2 — any sepsis features?
- Any lines, catheter, recent surgery or chemotherapy?
- Already on antibiotics? Any allergies?
Do now
- Sepsis screen — if positive, Sepsis Six within 1 h
- Find the source: chest, urine, abdomen, lines, wounds, skin, CNS
- Cultures before antibiotics (don’t delay them)
- Neutropenic? Treat as an emergency
Key doses
- Paracetamol 1 g (max 4 g/24 h; reduce if < 50 kg)
- Sepsis: IV antibiotics per local policy within 1 h
- 500 mL crystalloid bolus if hypotensive or lactate raised
Typical adult doses — always check the BNF and your local guideline.
Call your senior if
- Sepsis with hypotension or lactate > 2
- Neutropenic or on chemotherapy
- NEWS2 ≥ 5 or a single parameter scoring 3
Think of
- Pneumonia (incl. aspiration)
- UTI / catheter
- Line infection
- Surgical site / collection
- C. difficile
- Non-infective: VTE, transfusion, drugs
Go deeper
The full walkthroughs behind this call.