What is the most likely problem for a 20-year-old female patient who is having difficulty breathing, has a rapid weak pulse, is flushed, and has hives?

The scenario presented describes a 20-year-old female experiencing difficulty breathing, a rapid weak pulse, flushing of the skin, and hives. These symptoms are indicative of an allergic reaction that has escalated into anaphylaxis, which is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic response.

Anaphylaxis typically occurs when an individual is exposed to a known allergen, leading to the release of histamines and other chemicals in the body that can cause swelling, increased heart rate, flush skin, and respiratory distress. The combination of respiratory difficulties, a weak pulse, and the presence of hives strongly points to this severe allergic reaction.

Other conditions such as an asthma attack, cardiac arrest, or pneumonia have distinct presentations and symptoms. An asthma attack generally involves wheezing, prolonged expiration, and might not necessarily cause flushing or hives. Cardiac arrest usually presents with the absence of pulse and breathing and does not manifest hives. Pneumonia is characterized by respiratory symptoms but does not typically include flushing or hives. Thus, the combination of difficulty breathing, rapid weak pulse, flushing, and hives aligns most closely with anaphylaxis, confirming it as the most likely problem in this case.