A 55-year-old man presents to the emergency department with fever (102.5°F/39.2°C), altered mental status, heart rate of 115 bpm, respiratory rate of 28 bpm, and blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg. His lactate is 4.5 mmol/L. What is the most critical immediate management step?
✓ Correct Answer: Option A
This patient meets criteria for septic shock. The most critical immediate step is to administer broad-spectrum antibiotics within one hour to improve outcomes, along with prompt fluid resuscitation.