What is an essential nursing practice when initiating IV antibiotics for a patient with suspected sepsis?

An essential nursing practice when initiating IV antibiotics for a patient with suspected sepsis is ensuring that blood cultures are obtained first. This step is critical because obtaining blood cultures prior to the administration of antibiotics helps confirm the presence and type of bacteria causing the infection. Identifying the specific pathogen allows for targeted antibiotic therapy, which can significantly improve patient outcomes.

In cases of sepsis, timely intervention is vital, as delays in appropriate treatment can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. However, obtaining blood cultures does not significantly delay the initiation of antibiotics because the critical aspect of antibiotic efficacy relies on getting cultures before starting treatment to ensure accurate identification of the causative organism.

Other options would not prioritize the established guidelines for the management of sepsis as effectively. Administering antibiotics after fluid resuscitation may not align with the urgency of initiating therapy in septic patients, who require immediate treatment to combat infection. Rounding with additional anti-inflammatory medications is not routine in the initial management of sepsis. Additionally, starting antibiotics only after reviewing a complete blood count would delay appropriate treatment, which is detrimental in a sepsis scenario where prompt antibiotic administration is crucial.