You are dispatched to a state park for a young female experiencing an allergic reaction. Your assessment reveals that her breathing is severely labored and her blood pressure is very low. You carry epinephrine auto-injectors on your ambulance and have been trained and approved by your medical director to administer them. As your partner gives the patient high-flow oxygen, you attempt to contact medical control but do not have a signal from your cell phone. You should:
A. immediately load the patient into the ambulance, begin transport, and reattempt to contact medical control when you receive a cell signal.
B. notify dispatch and request that a paramedic unit respond to the scene so they can administer epinephrine to the patient.
C. administer epinephrine to the patient, begin immediate transport, and attempt to contact medical control en route to the hospital.
D. elevate the patient's legs 6? to 12?, keep her warm, begin transport to the hospital, and request a paramedic intercept en route.
Answer: C