Med-surg, 1400. Leg cellulitis. You hang his FIRST dose of IV cefazolin.
8 min later: "My throat feels tight." Hives spreading, hoarse voice.
Now wheezing. Flushed. BP dropping.
◀ All casesCase 6 of 8
Case 6 · Anaphylaxis
First Dose
Bedside monitorLive
BP84/50
HR124
RR28
SpO290%
What do you do?
Answer: B) Stop the cefazolin, call for help, IM epinephrine per protocol
Stop the infusion, call rapid response, and give IM epinephrine per your anaphylaxis protocol.
Epi goes IM in the outer thigh and can be repeated every 5-15 min. High-flow O2, lay him flat with legs up (sit him up if he can't breathe), IV fluids. Keep IV access with new tubing.
WHY: Airway + breathing + low BP = anaphylaxis. Benadryl, steroids and albuterol are add-ons. They don't stop it. Don't slow it: STOP it.
RememberAnaphylaxis? Epi first. The rest is backup.