BCEN CFRN Practice Question

Administering epinephrine intramuscularly is the most appropriate initial intervention in a severe allergic reaction presenting with symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing, facial swelling, and hypotension. Epinephrine rapidly reverses the symptoms by constricting blood vessels to improve blood pressure, relaxing airway muscles to ease breathing, and reducing swelling. Diphenhydramine and corticosteroids can be used for persistent or delayed symptoms, but they do not act quickly enough to manage the immediate severe reaction. Stopping the antibiotic infusion is important, but it does not address the immediate life-threatening symptoms.