74.3k views
4 votes
A 12-year-old boy complains of difficulty breathing after eating a cookie at a birthday party. His face and hands are swollen, and he has large red hives all over his body. You hear a high-pitched noise as he breathes in. You should treat this patient for:

MCQ Options:
a. Anaphylaxis
b. Asthma attack
c. Diabetic emergency
d. Seizure

User Mike Weir
by
8.3k points

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The patient with swelling, difficulty breathing, and hives after consuming a cookie should be treated for anaphylaxis. This is a severe allergic reaction where quick administration of epinephrine is critical for improving respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient who is experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and hands, and red hives all over the body after consuming a cookie at a birthday party should be treated for anaphylaxis. These symptoms are indicative of a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires prompt medical attention. Stridor, the high-pitched noise heard as the patient breathes in, typically accompanies throat swelling and is a common sign of anaphylactic shock.

The administration of epinephrine through an autoinjector like an EpiPen® is critical in treating anaphylactic reactions since it can improve breathing, modulate heart rate, and reduce swelling. Without quick treatment, anaphylaxis can lead to a significant drop in blood pressure and obstruction of the airway, which may result in insufficient oxygen reaching the brain and potentially fatal outcomes.

User Asil
by
8.1k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.