Question

You are treating a​ 28-year-old female who is 34 weeks pregnant. She has a history of bee sting anaphylaxis and was stung by a bee while in the garden. She is having severe respiratory distress and her blood pressure is​ 72/50 mmHg. Which of the following is the best option for the​ EMT?

A. Do not administer the EpiPen® under any circumstances.
B. Immediately administer the​ patient's EpiPen®.
C. Administer the EpiPen® only on the advice of medical control.
D. Transport​ rapidly, bypassing the emergency department and taking the patient directly to the obstetrics unit of the hospital.

Answer 1

The EMT should immediately administer the​ patient's EpiPen® as the best option for treating a pregnant patient in severe respiratory distress and with low blood pressure due to a bee sting anaphylaxis. Epinephrine found in the EpiPen® can counteract the drop in blood pressure and relax bronchial smooth muscle, providing immediate relief.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information provided, the best option for the EMT is to immediately administer the​ patient's EpiPen®. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening, and the patient is already experiencing severe respiratory distress and low blood pressure. Epinephrine, which is found in the EpiPen®, can counteract the drop in blood pressure and relax bronchial smooth muscle, providing immediate relief to the patient. Medical control should also be contacted for further guidance, but administering the EpiPen® as soon as possible is crucial.