After epinephrine is given in a severe allergic reaction without skin symptoms, which step is appropriate next?

After epinephrine is given in a severe allergic reaction without skin symptoms, which step is appropriate next?

• A. Administer more epinephrine every 5 minutes without monitoring.
• B. Prepare for airway management and rapid transport.
• C. Schedule follow-up appointment in 24 hours.
• D. Take off oxygen to avoid hyperoxia.

Answer: (B)

Anaphylaxis can worsen quickly and affect the airway even if there are no skin signs, so the top priority is to protect the airway and get the patient to definitive care without delay. After the initial epinephrine dose, you should continue high‑flow oxygen, keep the patient’s airway clear, and be ready to perform airway management if swelling or breathing difficulty progresses. Simultaneously, maintain monitoring of vital signs so you can recognize deterioration and determine if additional treatment is needed under medical direction. Quick transport to a hospital allows for ongoing observation and treatment. The other options don’t address the acute needs: giving more epinephrine without monitoring can cause serious side effects, delaying transport or follow-up won’t manage the emergency, and removing oxygen would worsen oxygenation.

Anaphylaxis can worsen quickly and affect the airway even if there are no skin signs, so the top priority is to protect the airway and get the patient to definitive care without delay. After the initial epinephrine dose, you should continue high‑flow oxygen, keep the patient’s airway clear, and be ready to perform airway management if swelling or breathing difficulty progresses. Simultaneously, maintain monitoring of vital signs so you can recognize deterioration and determine if additional treatment is needed under medical direction. Quick transport to a hospital allows for ongoing observation and treatment. The other options don’t address the acute needs: giving more epinephrine without monitoring can cause serious side effects, delaying transport or follow-up won’t manage the emergency, and removing oxygen would worsen oxygenation.