Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) Certification Practice Test

According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, which task should be initiated within one hour of recognizing sepsis?

1. Administering patient-specific antibiotics

2. Measuring blood glucose levels

3. Administering broad spectrum antibiotics

4. Taking a complete lymphatic examination

The correct answer is: Administering broad spectrum antibiotics

Initiating the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics within one hour of recognizing sepsis is a critical component of managing septic patients. This urgency is linked to the time-sensitive nature of sepsis, where every hour of delay in effective antibiotic therapy can significantly increase the risk of mortality. Early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics helps to cover a wide range of potential pathogens, including both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which is essential in the acute phase of sepsis when the causative organism may not yet be identified. The emphasis on broad-spectrum antibiotics is in line with current best practices outlined by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, which advocates for early recognition and treatment. The goal is to promptly control the infection and mitigate systemic inflammatory responses that contribute to organ dysfunction in sepsis. While the measurement of blood glucose levels and other tasks like taking a complete lymphatic examination are important components of a comprehensive assessment and ongoing management, they are not prioritized to the same immediate extent as the initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics in this acute setting.