In sepsis, within the first hour of recognition, which is emphasized?

• A. Obtain cultures before initiating antibiotics
• B. Start intravenous fluids
• C. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics after obtaining cultures and start IV fluids
• D. Wait to treat until cultures return

Answer: (C)

Sepsis management is time-sensitive: the priority in the first hour is to restore perfusion with fluids and start empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics as quickly as possible, because delays increase mortality. Cultures should be drawn early to guide therapy, but they must not delay treatment. The best approach here is to obtain cultures promptly while starting IV fluids and giving broad-spectrum antibiotics within the first hour, so therapy begins without waiting for culture results. Delaying antibiotics or waiting for cultures to return before treating would miss the urgent nature of sepsis care.