Board Review: Anaphylaxis
Sat, 09/15/2018 - 4:00am
Editor:
A 50 year old male with history of atrial fibrillation and a seafood allergy presents after eating seafood. He is on a beta-blocker for rate control. He has facial swelling, hives, trouble breathing and nausea. You give epinephrine x 2 intramuscularly but the patient is not improving. What is your next step in management.
A. Epinephrine IM
B. Epinephrine IV
C. Glucagon
D. Glucocorticoid
E. Pepcid
Answer: C - Glucagon
If taking a beta-blocker, anaphylaxis may be unresponsive to epinephrine and so glucagon is indicated.