Final answer:
An intravenous (IV) catheter is used to administer antibiotics three times a day for 4 weeks to a sepsis patient, ensuring direct delivery of medication into the bloodstream and maintenance of therapeutic levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The device commonly used to administer antibiotics for a prolonged period, such as in the care of a patient with sepsis who needs medications three times a day for 4 weeks, is an intravenous (IV) catheter.
The IV catheter is a tube placed into a vein that allows for the direct delivery of medications into the bloodstream. It is essential for ensuring that the patient receives the appropriate dosage at the correct intervals.
The administration of antibiotics via an IV catheter is particularly crucial in severe infections, such as sepsis, where maintaining therapeutic levels of the medication is necessary to combat the infection effectively.
Moreover, the selection of the appropriate antibiotic after conducting susceptibility tests is critical to ensure that the bacteria causing the sepsis are responsive to the treatment provided.