A 64-year-old male nursing home resident with a history of t…
A 64-year-old male nursing home resident with a history of type 2 diabetes, recent diabetic foot infection, peripheral arterial disease, hypertension, and osteoarthritis is brought to the emergency department via ambulance for evaluation of altered mental status. The nursing home staff reports that he was talkative yesterday but appeared confused upon waking up today. He does not respond to any attempts to obtain further history. A quick review of his medical record reveals a recent a1c hemoglobin level of 9.4%, recent resting ankle-brachial index of 0.58 on the left and 0.95 on the right, and recent initiation of amoxicillin-clavulanate for diabetic foot infection. On physical exam, the patient has a temperature of 97.0*F, a heart rate of 106 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 88/58 mmHg. The lungs are clear, the cardiac examination demonstrates tachycardia, and the abdomen is nontender. The left foot appears red with obvious foul-smelling pus draining from a 6-cm ulcer on the heel and a weak pulse is palpable in that foot. The patient responds only to noxiuos stimuli and palpation around the foot ulcer by groaning. There is no advanced directive. Laboratory studies reveal a WBC count of 22,000 per mm3 with 11% bands. The creatinine level is 1.6 mg/dL, and the serum lactate is 2.5 mmol/liter. Blood cultures are drawn and 2 large-bore peripheral intravenous catheters are placed. Intravenous fluids are initiated immediately for volume resuscitation. Before admitting this patient to the intensive care unit, what is the most important action to take immediately?
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