What action should be taken if a septic shock patient does not respond to fluids?

In cases of septic shock where a patient does not respond adequately to fluid resuscitation, administering push dose epinephrine is the appropriate action. This is because septic shock often leads to significant vasodilation and low systemic vascular resistance, resulting in inadequate perfusion to vital organs even after receiving intravenous fluids. Epinephrine serves as a potent vasopressor, which can help restore vascular tone, improve cardiac output, and enhance tissue perfusion.

While increasing the fluid rate may seem like a reasonable approach to improve perfusion, there is a threshold for fluid resuscitation, and excessive fluid can lead to complications such as pulmonary edema. Waiting for a prolonged period before reassessing can delay necessary interventions and potentially worsen the patient's condition. Contacting the hospital may be appropriate at some point, but immediate intervention with epinephrine can be critical in stabilizing the patient's physiology. Therefore, administering push dose epinephrine directly addresses the underlying inadequate perfusion issue associated with septic shock.