What should you do if a patient shows symptoms of anaphylaxis while wheezing?

When a patient exhibits symptoms of anaphylaxis, particularly when accompanied by wheezing, immediate action is critical. Administering an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) is the appropriate response. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause life-threatening symptoms, including airway constriction and difficulty breathing, represented by wheezing. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment because it rapidly reverses the symptoms of anaphylaxis by constricting blood vessels, easing breathing by relaxing the muscles in the airways, and reducing swelling.

Timely administration of epinephrine can be life-saving. Delaying treatment, as might be suggested by waiting to see if symptoms improve, can allow the reaction to worsen. Providing water or attempting to calm the patient without addressing the underlying emergency would not be effective and could potentially lead to a deterioration in the patient’s condition. Similarly, while antihistamines can help treat allergic reactions, they are not effective in the acute management of anaphylaxis and should not replace immediate use of epinephrine. Therefore, delivering an EpiPen is the correct and urgent course of action in this situation.