Question

You have administered one dose of epinephrine to a 40-year-old female to treat an allergic reaction that she developed after being stung by a scorpion. Your reassessment reveals that she is still having difficulty breathing, has a decreasing mental status, and has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg. You should:

1) monitor her en route to the hospital and call medical control if she worsens.
2) crush up an antihistamine tablet and place it in between her cheek and gum.
3) request permission from medical control to give another dose of epinephrine.
4) administer a nebulized bronchodilator to improve the status of her breathing.

Answer 1

Epinephrine is used to counteract anaphylactic shock, and for a patient still experiencing severe symptoms after one dose, it is crucial to request permission from medical control to administer another dose of epinephrine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The drug used to counteract the effects of anaphylactic shock is epinephrine. Anaphylactic shock can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment. For someone experiencing severe allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing, decreasing mental status, and hypotension (e.g., a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg after a scorpion sting), administering a second dose of epinephrine may be necessary. In such a situation where initial epinephrine administration does not alleviate symptoms, it is crucial to request permission from medical control to administer another dose of epinephrine to manage the patient's condition effectively. Antihistamines and corticosteroids are commonly used as follow-up treatments but are not suitable for emergency treatment during active anaphylaxis where epinephrine is required.