A client diagnosed with septicemia is admitted to the emergency department. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

• A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
• B. Administer the intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy.
• C. Obtain a stat basic metabolic profile (BMP).
• D. Place the client in the Trendelenburg position.

Answer: (B)

In sepsis, time to antibiotic therapy is critical. The number-one priority is to start broad-spectrum IV antibiotics as soon as septicemia is suspected, because rapid antimicrobial treatment can significantly reduce mortality and limit progression to septic shock and organ failure. If possible, obtain blood cultures before antibiotics, but do not delay treatment to do so.

Understanding the other options helps place this priority in context: inserting a urinary catheter is not an urgent action for sepsis and can introduce infection or delay therapy. A basic metabolic profile is useful for assessing organ function and guiding management, but it does not treat the infection. Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position has no proven benefit in septic patients and can worsen respiratory or hemodynamic status.