Question

Elizabeth is a 14-year-old female who is brought to the ER by her mother after patient was stung by an unknown insect on her right arm while hiking in the woods. The area of the sting appears to be red and swollen with hives spreading to the neck and trunk. Patient is having difficulty talking due to swelling of the tongue and is beginning to wheeze. Patient states she is feeling "faint" and "lightheaded." Vitals signs reveal tachycardia and hypotension. What is your initial diagnosis?​

Answer 1

The initial diagnosis for Elizabeth is anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. It is characterized by redness, swelling, hives, difficulty talking, wheezing, tachycardia, hypotension, and potential swelling of the throat. The immediate treatment is epinephrine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial diagnosis for Elizabeth, based on her symptoms, is anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. It is characterized by a release of histamines, causing symptoms such as redness and swelling at the site of the sting, hives, difficulty talking due to swelling of the tongue, wheezing, feeling faint and lightheaded, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), hypotension (low blood pressure), and potentially swelling of the throat and airways, which can lead to suffocation.

Anaphylaxis is commonly triggered by insect stings, foods, medications, or other allergens. The body's immune system overreacts to these triggers and releases a large amount of histamines, causing the symptoms. The immediate treatment for anaphylaxis is the administration of epinephrine, which helps control the allergic response and can be life-saving.