27-year-old man with a history of severe shellfish allergies is brought to the emergency department after eating a fish stew that contained shrimp. Immediately after entering the emergency department, the patient starts to have difficulty breathing. His pulse becomes weak, and he loses consciousness. What is the most appropriate medication to administer at this time?

Question

A. Albuterol.
B. Epinephrine.
C. High-dose dopamine.
D. Isoproterenol.
E. Norepinephrine.

Answer 1

In this case, the 27-year-old man is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction due to his severe shellfish allergy after consuming a fish stew that contained shrimp. The signs of difficulty breathing, weak pulse, and loss of consciousness indicate a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate intervention.

The most appropriate medication to administer in this situation is B. Epinephrine. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis as it works quickly to reverse the symptoms, including vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, and hypotension. Administering epinephrine can help stabilize the patient's condition and prevent further complications.

Other medications mentioned, such as albuterol, dopamine, isoproterenol, and norepinephrine, may have roles in managing various cardiac or respiratory conditions, but they are not the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Therefore, the correct answer is B. Epinephrine.