A 5-year-old child presents with sudden vomiting and hypotension after lunch. What is the priority intervention?

In assessing the scenario of a 5-year-old child who presents with sudden vomiting and hypotension, the priority intervention should focus on the potential for anaphylaxis, especially if there is a concern that the child might have had a known or unknown allergen exposure during lunch.

Intramuscular epinephrine is the appropriate first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. It works quickly to reverse the effects of severe allergic reactions, including hypotension and respiratory distress. Epinephrine contributes to vasoconstriction, which can help stabilize blood pressure, reduce swelling, and alleviate bronchoconstriction if there are any respiratory symptoms like wheezing or difficulty breathing associated with the reaction. The rapid action of epinephrine makes it critical in managing acute anaphylactic episodes.

In contrast, other options like inhaled albuterol are primarily used for bronchospasm management and are not effective in treating hypotension associated with anaphylaxis. Oral diphenhydramine, while helpful in allergic reactions, is not suitable for immediate treatment of severe hypotension or acute symptoms. Intravenous ondansetron is effective for nausea and vomiting but does not address the underlying cause of hypotension in this case.

Thus, administering intramuscular epinephrine addresses both the hypot