Paediatric anaphylaxis — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: B — Give intramuscular adrenaline using age/weight dosing

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · C = shown as B · E = shown as C · A = shown as D · D = shown as E

C is correct: Paediatric anaphylaxis requires prompt IM adrenaline with dose selected by age or weight. A is less suitable because it does not address the discriminator in the vignette; B is less suitable because it delays the immediate life-saving step in the cABCDE sequence; D is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; E is less suitable because analgesia is important but does not replace the first physiological intervention. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK Paediatric and Newborn Guidelines; NICE NG39