Which nursing intervention would prevent septic shock in the hospitalized client?

• A. Use aseptic technique during all invasive procedures.
• B. Maintain the client in a normothermic state.
• C. Administer blood products to replace fluid losses.
• D. Keep the critically ill client immobilized to reduce metabolic demands.

Answer: (A)

Preventing septic shock hinges on stopping infections from taking hold in the first place. In hospitalized clients, invasive procedures like inserting lines, catheters, or performing wound care create potential entry points for bacteria. Using aseptic technique during every invasive intervention minimizes these entry points by ensuring hands are clean, sterile gloves and equipment are used, the skin is properly cleansed, and the sterile field is maintained. When pathogens are kept from entering the body, the risk of infection—and the progression to sepsis and septic shock—drops significantly.

Staying normothermic helps overall physiologic stability but doesn’t prevent infection. Administering blood products addresses fluid volume or anemia, not infection prevention, and can carry risks if infection is present. Keeping a critically ill patient immobilized does not prevent infection and can lead to other complications without addressing the infection risk.