Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What immediate action should be taken after recognizing a patient is experiencing anaphylaxis?

1. Administer epinephrine

2. Call for backup support

3. Monitor vital signs

4. Reassess for other symptoms

The correct answer is: Administer epinephrine

Administering epinephrine is the most critical and immediate action in response to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Epinephrine works quickly to counteract the life-threatening symptoms associated with anaphylaxis, such as airway constriction, swelling, and low blood pressure. By stimulating the heart, relaxing airway muscles, and constricting blood vessels, epinephrine effectively alleviates the symptoms and helps stabilize the patient. It is essential to act promptly because anaphylaxis can progress rapidly, and delays in treatment can lead to worsening conditions, including respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. While calling for backup support, monitoring vital signs, and reassessing for other symptoms are important components of patient care, they are secondary to the immediate administration of epinephrine. Backup support may be necessary later, monitoring vital signs should occur after the initial treatment, and reassessment can provide additional information about the patient's condition, but these actions should follow the critical intervention of administering epinephrine.