During an emergency transport of a patient experiencing severe anaphylaxis, which of the following is the highest priority of care?

In a situation involving severe anaphylaxis, the airway and breathing are critically compromised due to potential swelling of the airway, bronchoconstriction, and other respiratory distress. The highest priority of care in this scenario is to ensure that the patient can breathe effectively. Assisting ventilations with a bag-valve mask directly addresses respiratory failure, which is a life-threatening aspect of anaphylaxis.

While options such as administering oral antihistamines and providing intravenous fluids are important in the overall management of anaphylaxis, they do not address the immediate need for securing the airway or supporting breathing. Oral antihistamines are not suitable in emergency situations because they take longer to act and are not effective in treating acute symptoms. Similarly, while oxygen can help support the patient, if breathing is inadequate, merely providing oxygen without assisting with ventilation may not be sufficient to ensure adequate oxygenation.

In summary, the most urgent action in the emergency transport of a patient experiencing severe anaphylaxis is to assist with ventilations to maintain an adequate airway and support breathing.