Your patient with Iron deficiency anemia is receiving Iron Dextran when their blood pressure suddenly starts to drop, their respiratory rate increases, and their breath becomes wheezy- sounding. Your PRIORITY intervention will be:

A. This term refers to the passage of fresh blood through the anus, usually indicating lower GI bleeding (such as from the colon or rectum). It is a common and significant sign of GI bleeding.
B. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is generally not a sign of GI bleeding. In fact, GI bleeding typically leads to hypotension (low blood pressure) due to volume loss, making this choice incorrect.
C. Tarry stool (melena) indicates the presence of digested blood in the stool, typically resulting from upper GI bleeding. It appears black and sticky and is a common sign of GI bleeding.
D. This refers to vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, which indicates that blood has been present in the stomach and has undergone digestion. This is a classic sign of upper GI bleeding and is a significant symptom.
E. Hematemesis is the vomiting of blood, which can be bright red or resemble coffee grounds, depending on the source and severity of the bleeding. It is a common and serious sign of GI bleeding, particularly from the upper GI tract.

A. While it’s important to provide reassurance, this option does not directly address the acute symptoms of respiratory distress and hypotension. Monitoring blood pressure is essential, but immediate action to treat the underlying issue is more critical.
B. This is the priority intervention in the case of suspected anaphylaxis. Epinephrine acts quickly to counteract severe allergic reactions, relieving bronchospasm, increasing heart rate, and raising blood pressure. Given the patient's wheezing and hypotension, administering epinephrine is crucial.
C. Administering oxygen can be beneficial, especially if the patient is experiencing respiratory distress. However, it does not address the potential anaphylactic reaction or the drop in blood pressure directly. It should be part of the management but not the priority.
D. Elevating the head of the bed can help improve breathing, especially if the patient is in respiratory distress. However, this action alone does not address the potential life-threatening aspects of anaphylaxis.