What is the highest priority intervention for a well-appearing 2-month-old with a fever?

In the scenario of a well-appearing 2-month-old infant with a fever, obtaining a urine culture is the highest priority intervention. This is because urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the common causes of fever in infants of this age, even if the infant appears well. Early identification and treatment of UTIs are crucial to prevent complications, such as kidney damage or sepsis.

A urine culture allows for the identification of any pathogens in the urinary tract and guides the choice of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Given that the infant appears well, the decision to perform a urine culture aligns with the recommended approach to manage febrile infants, especially those under 2 months, where a thorough evaluation is essential to rule out serious infections.

Other interventions, while potentially important in certain contexts, are not the immediate priority. For instance, a lumbar puncture, though useful for ruling out meningitis, may not be necessary if the infant is stable and there are no signs of central nervous system infection. Additionally, while a chest radiograph might be indicated if there are respiratory symptoms or signs of pneumonia, it doesn't directly address the cause of the fever. An intravenous fluid bolus could be considered for dehydrated patients or those in shock, yet the well-