A 45-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with fever (38.9°C), hypotension (88/52 mmHg), tachycardia (118 bpm), and altered mental status. Blood cultures are drawn and broad-spectrum antibiotics are ordered stat. The attending physician selects appropriate empiric coverage based on suspected sepsis source. However, the pharmacy is understaffed due to unexpected call-outs, and the antibiotics are not dispensed until 8 hours after the order is placed. During this interval, the patient's lactate rises from 3.2 to 5.8 mmol/L and she requires vasopressor support. Which type of medical error best characterizes the delay in antibiotic administration?

1. A)Active error in prescribing, as the physician selected antibiotics without confirming culture results first
2. B)Diagnostic error, as sepsis was not recognized early enough to warrant urgent intervention
3. C)Latent error involving system-based factors, as inadequate pharmacy staffing created conditions for delayed drug administrationGABARITO
4. D)Medication error in drug selection, as empiric broad-spectrum coverage was not indicated without confirmed organism identification
5. E)Adverse drug event, as the prolonged interval between order and administration increased cumulative drug toxicity