For a patient with suspected meningitis, rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial. While administering antibiotics is a life-saving intervention, it is essential to obtain cultures before starting

For a patient with suspected meningitis, rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial. While administering antibiotics is a life-saving intervention, it is essential to obtain cultures before starting antibiotics to identify the causative organism and guide specific treatment. Obtaining blood cultures is a quick procedure that should be performed immediately upon suspicion of meningitis, ideally before the first dose of antibiotics is given, to ensure the highest chance of identifying the pathogen.

The correct option is B.

$$\boxed{\text{B. Obtain blood cultures}}$$