Question

A young male is experiencing signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock after being stung by a scorpion. His level of consciousness is diminished, his breathing is severely labored, you can hear inspiratory stridor, and his face is cyanotic. The patient has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector. What should you do first?

A) Assist him in administering his epinephrine.
B) Apply high-flow oxygen via nonrebreathing mask.
C) Provide ventilatory assistance with a bag-valve mask.
D) Elevate his legs and cover him with a warm blanket.

Answer 1

The first step in treating a young male experiencing signs of anaphylactic shock after being stung by a scorpion is assisting him in administering his epinephrine. Epinephrine constricts blood vessels, relaxes smooth muscles in the lungs, and reduces swelling, effectively counteracting the symptoms of anaphylaxis and increasing the patient's chances of survival.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct course of action in this scenario would be to assist the patient in administering his epinephrine first. Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening condition caused by a severe allergic reaction, and epinephrine is the primary treatment for it. Epinephrine helps to constrict blood vessels, relax smooth muscles in the lungs, modulate heart rate, and reduce swelling, effectively counteracting the symptoms of anaphylaxis. Immediate administration of epinephrine can be lifesaving as it helps to maintain the patient's blood pressure and open their airways, improving their chances of survival.

After assisting with the epinephrine administration, other interventions should be considered, such as providing ventilatory assistance with a bag-valve mask to support the patient's breathing, and applying high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask to improve oxygenation.

Elevating the patient's legs and covering them with a warm blanket (option D) may be useful in cases of hypovolemic shock but is not the first-line treatment for anaphylactic shock.