A 25-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by a friend due to the sudden onset of difficulty breathing, throat tightness, and a diffuse itchy rash. Her symptoms began 15 minutes ago, shortly after she ate a peanut butter cookie at a local bakery. Vital signs show a temperature of 37.0°C (98.6°F), blood pressure of 82/50 mm Hg, pulse of 128/min, and respirations of 28/min. Oxygen saturation is 92% on room air. Physical examination reveals diffuse urticaria, facial edema, and bilateral expiratory wheezing. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate next step in management?
- AMeasurement of serum tryptase levels
- BOrdering a portable chest radiograph
- CIntravenous administration of diphenhydramine
- Intramuscular administration of epinephrineCevap
- EIntravenous administration of methylprednisolone
Cevap
Intramuscular administration of epinephrine
The correct answer is intramuscular administration of epinephrine. This patient is presenting with classic signs of severe anaphylaxis (hypotension, tachycardia, respiratory distress, and mucocutaneous signs) immediately following exposure to a known trigger. Epinephrine is the definitive first-line therapy because its potent alpha-adrenergic effects increase peripheral vascular resistance to reverse hypotension, while its beta-adrenergic effects induce bronchodilation and decrease the release of inflammatory mediators.
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Anahtar Kavram
The absolute priority in the initial stabilization of anaphylaxis is the immediate intramuscular administration of epinephrine.