Anaphylactic reaction in the emergency department (Critical care and interdisciplinary communication)

The learner should be able to:

• Clarify and assume their role within the healthcare team, integrating the initial assessment and regular reassessment of the patient using the ABCDE protocol.
• Apply ethical principles and mutual respect to ensure the patient’s dignity, autonomy, and confidentiality, while collaborating effectively with the interprofessional team.
• Use the SBAR technique (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) and Closed-Loop Communication techniques to ensure effective inter- and intra-team communication.
• Collaborate efficiently with other members of the healthcare team, integrating each member’s skills to stabilize the patient.

A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department after an office injection of penicillin to treat a respiratory infection. Upon arrival, he complains of swollen eyelids (or mouth), a feeling of tightness in the throat, and his voice has become hoarse and deeper, as well as headaches. He sneezes repeatedly and describes difficulty swallowing and a tingling sensation in the nose.