Which patient condition should be addressed during the primary survey?

The primary survey, or rapid assessment, in emergency care focuses on identifying and addressing life-threatening conditions as quickly as possible. In this scenario, the correct choice is addressing the 12-year-old experiencing dyspnea from an allergic reaction.

Dyspnea, which is difficulty breathing, can indicate significant respiratory distress, particularly if it is caused by an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention to secure the airway and provide appropriate treatment, such as epinephrine. Given the potential for rapid deterioration in anaphylactic patients, addressing respiratory issues promptly in the primary survey is critical.

The other conditions listed, while they may require medical attention, do not represent immediate life-threatening situations in the same way. A rapid pulse from bee stings suggests a response to the stimulus, but without more specific respiratory distress, it may not be seen as urgent in the initial assessment. Abdominal pain from blunt trauma could indicate internal injuries, but this typically falls under secondary survey evaluation unless there are signs of shock or external bleeding. Likewise, moderate chest pain in the 45-year-old patient, especially without blood pressure measurements, is concerning but not necessarily indicative of immediate airway compromise or a life-threatening emergency