A patient states that he is allergic to poison ivy and was burning it yesterday when he accidentally inhaled some of the smoke. Today, he awoke and found a red rash to the back of his left hand and called 911. Assessment reveals him to be alert and oriented, with easy respirations, and a blood pressure of 128/70 mmHg. Your next action would be to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is not currently in respiratory distress and his blood pressure is stable, so immediate transport or ALS assistance is not yet indicated. However, the patient's recent exposure to poison ivy and presentation with a rash suggest a possible allergic reaction, so obtaining a comprehensive medical history is appropriate to assess for past allergic reactions and any relevant medications the patient may be taking. The use of an epinephrine auto-injector may also be indicated depending on the patient's history and current symptoms, but this cannot be determined without a thorough assessment and medical history.

A Patient States That He Is Allergic to Poison Ivy