Question

A patient who has a peanut allergy comes to the emergency department with suspected anaphylactic shock. Which of the following actions should you anticipate taking? (select all that apply)

A. initiate oxygen therapy to support respiratory function
B. administer epinephrine to increase blood pressure
C. give diphenhydramine to stop histamine release
D. establish and maintain an open airway to ensure oxygenation.
E. Administer a drug agonist to neutralize the allergic reaction

Answer 1

In suspected anaphylactic shock due to a peanut allergy, anticipate actions include initiating oxygen therapy, administering epinephrine and diphenhydramine, and ensuring an open airway.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient with a peanut allergy arrives at the emergency department with suspected anaphylactic shock, you should anticipate several actions. First, you will initiate oxygen therapy to support respiratory function, as it is paramount in ensuring that the patient maintains adequate oxygenation. Secondly, you should administer epinephrine, which is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis due to its ability to increase blood pressure and improve breathing by constricting blood vessels and relaxing bronchial muscles. Additionally, to address ongoing allergy symptoms, administering diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, can help reduce the excessive histamine response prompted by the allergen exposure. Lastly, it is critical to establish and maintain an open airway to ensure that the patient is properly oxygenated throughout the management of the anaphylactic reaction.