Rosh Emergency Medicine Practice Test

What initial vital sign measurement is particularly significant in a patient presenting with possible anaphylaxis?

1. Temperature

2. Heart rate

3. Blood pressure

4. Oxygen saturation

The correct answer is: Blood pressure

In cases of suspected anaphylaxis, the measurement of blood pressure is particularly significant due to the potential for severe hypotension. Anaphylaxis can lead to rapid and profound cardiovascular changes, including vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, resulting in a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is crucial because it provides immediate insight into the patient's hemodynamic status and helps assess the severity of the allergic reaction. A drop in blood pressure can indicate shock, which is a medical emergency requiring prompt intervention, such as the administration of epinephrine. Early recognition of hypotension can guide the urgency of additional treatments and the need for supportive measures, like fluid resuscitation, to stabilize the patient. While other vital signs such as heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation are important in the overall assessment, they do not provide the same immediate insight into the potentially life-threatening nature of anaphylaxis as changes in blood pressure do. Thus, blood pressure measurement is paramount in the evaluation and management of a patient suspected to be experiencing anaphylaxis.