# Stage 5 — Take action. Place the coordinated emergency actions in priority order.

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=568586&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Management of Care  
> category: MOC

## Question

Stage 5 — Take action. Place the coordinated emergency actions in priority order.

Administer the prescribed empiric ceftriaxone immediately

Apply a mask to the client, institute Droplet Precautions, and activate the emergency sepsis team

Support airway and oxygenation and establish continuous monitoring and vascular access

Reassess perfusion, urine output, mental status, and lactate response and escalate support as prescribed

Draw ordered blood cultures and lactate without delaying antimicrobial therapy

## Explanation

Immediately contain droplets and summon help, support ABCs and access, obtain rapid cultures without delaying treatment, administer prescribed empiric antibiotic, and then evaluate perfusion and escalate support based on response.

## In-depth explanation

Quick answer
Contain droplets and call the team, support ABCs, collect rapid cultures, give ceftriaxone without delay, then trend the response.

Why this is correct
Isolation protects others immediately, while airway, oxygenation, monitoring, and vascular access support the unstable client. Cultures improve diagnostic yield when obtained quickly, but antibiotic timing takes priority over procedural delay.

Easy analogy or mental picture
Build a parallel emergency lane: put up the transmission barrier, open the resuscitation lane, capture the quick specimen, deliver treatment, and check whether circulation improves.

Memory hook
Mask-call, ABC-access, culture-fast, antibiotic-now, reassess.

NCLEX decision rule
When sepsis and transmissible meningitis coexist, protect staff and support ABCs immediately; never let a specimen or procedure create an antibiotic delay.

Why the other choices are wrong
Giving medication before basic access and stabilization or postponing treatment for complete diagnostics breaks emergency priorities. Reassessment belongs after initial lifesaving actions.

References
1CDC: Clinical Overview of Meningococcal DiseaseClinical syndromes, prompt treatment, reporting, vaccination, and close-contact prophylaxis
2CDC Pink Book: Meningococcal DiseasePrompt empiric antibiotics, cultures, direct secretion exposure, and chemoprophylaxis
3CDC Infection Control: Meningococcal DiseaseStandard plus Droplet Precautions and occupational-exposure follow-through

## Clinical scenario

Case update
The client remains hypotensive and confused. Emergency sepsis and meningococcal-disease orders are active.

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