Check vital signs: temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation
Assess for signs of infection: fever, chills, cough, painful urination, wound redness, abdominal pain, or confusion
Review mental status for confusion, drowsiness, or difficulty waking
Obtain blood tests: complete blood count, lactate, kidney function, liver function, and electrolytes
Draw blood cultures before antibiotics if possible
Test urine with urinalysis and urine culture if urinary infection is suspected
Collect sputum, wound, or other site cultures if indicated
Measure serum lactate to assess for tissue hypoperfusion
Perform imaging such as chest X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound to find the infection source
Use sepsis screening tools such as qSOFA or SIRS in clinical settings
Seek urgent medical evaluation immediately if sepsis is suspected