A patient comes into the emergency department with itching, swelling, and slight shortness of breath after being stung by a bee 20 minutes ago. The nurse bases care of this patient on the pathophysiology of which hypersensitivity reaction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with a type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction, which is an immediate hypersensitivity reaction that occurs within minutes to hours of exposure to an allergen such as a bee sting. This type of reaction involves the release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells and basophils, leading to the symptoms of itching, swelling, and shortness of breath.

A Patient Comes into the Emergency Department with Itching, Swelling