Which of the following is a symptom of anaphylactic shock?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a symptom of anaphylactic shock?

Anaphylaxis causes rapid airway and circulation problems, so the most important and telling sign is difficulty breathing. Swelling of the throat and bronchospasm narrow the airways, making it hard to inhale and exhale and can progress quickly to a life-threatening situation. Fever isn’t typical for anaphylaxis; it suggests an infection. A rash can occur with an allergic reaction, including hives, but it doesn’t by itself reflect the acute airway compromise that defines anaphylactic shock. Nausea can occur, but again it’s not the defining emergency symptom in this context. In practice, recognizing sudden breathing difficulty in a patient with a suspected allergic reaction is a medical emergency—seek urgent help and treat promptly according to protocol.

Anaphylaxis causes rapid airway and circulation problems, so the most important and telling sign is difficulty breathing. Swelling of the throat and bronchospasm narrow the airways, making it hard to inhale and exhale and can progress quickly to a life-threatening situation.

Fever isn’t typical for anaphylaxis; it suggests an infection. A rash can occur with an allergic reaction, including hives, but it doesn’t by itself reflect the acute airway compromise that defines anaphylactic shock. Nausea can occur, but again it’s not the defining emergency symptom in this context.

In practice, recognizing sudden breathing difficulty in a patient with a suspected allergic reaction is a medical emergency—seek urgent help and treat promptly according to protocol.

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