Allergic Reactions CHAPTER 20. Assessment of Allergic Reactions.
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Assessment of Allergic Assessment of Allergic ReactionsReactionsAssessment of Allergic Assessment of Allergic ReactionsReactions
Allergic reaction:Allergic reaction:
An exaggerated immune An exaggerated immune response to a substance that response to a substance that comes into contact with the comes into contact with the body.body.
A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis or an anaphylactic reaction.
Allergen:Allergen:
A substance that commonly A substance that commonly causes allergic reactions, such causes allergic reactions, such as insect bites or stings, foods, as insect bites or stings, foods, plants, and medications.plants, and medications.
Causes of Causes of Allergic ReactionsAllergic Reactions
Causes of Causes of Allergic ReactionsAllergic Reactions
Always check for a
medical alert bracelet or
necklace carried by
people who have severe
allergic reactions.
Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptomsof Allergic Reactionsof Allergic ReactionsSigns and SymptomsSigns and Symptomsof Allergic Reactionsof Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions Allergic reactions can result in a can result in a variety of signs variety of signs and symptoms.and symptoms.
Increased heart rateIncreased heart rate
Decreased blood pressureDecreased blood pressure
Coughing, stridor, wheezing or noisy respirationsCoughing, stridor, wheezing or noisy respirations
Rapid, labored breathingRapid, labored breathing
Tightness in the throat, hoarsenessTightness in the throat, hoarseness
Hives Hives (urticaria)(urticaria)
Itchy, red or flushed skinItchy, red or flushed skin
Signs & Symptoms of Allergic Reactions Signs & Symptoms of Allergic Reactions
Tingling in face, mouth, chest, hands and feetTingling in face, mouth, chest, hands and feet
Body swelling and rashBody swelling and rash
Itchy, watery eyesItchy, watery eyes
Patient may feel uncomfortable and display odd behaviorPatient may feel uncomfortable and display odd behavior
HeadacheHeadache
Allergic Reactions continued Allergic Reactions continued
Respiratory distress and Respiratory distress and hypoperfusion are the most hypoperfusion are the most serious complications of allergic serious complications of allergic reactions...reactions...
……when these signs and when these signs and symptoms are present, symptoms are present,
immediate intervention may immediate intervention may be needed.be needed.
Remember that the earliest Remember that the earliest
sign of hypoperfusion is a sign of hypoperfusion is a
change in the change in the mental statusmental status
of the patient.of the patient.
Emergency Care for Emergency Care for Patients with Allergic Patients with Allergic ReactionsReactions
Emergency Care for Emergency Care for Patients with Allergic Patients with Allergic ReactionsReactions
Airway InterventionsAirway Interventions
Serious Signs or Symptoms Serious Signs or Symptoms
HistoryHistory Focused and briefFocused and brief Previous reactions and severityPrevious reactions and severity Medications available for reaction, tablets or epinephrine autoinjectorMedications available for reaction, tablets or epinephrine autoinjector
Physical examinationPhysical examination Baseline vital signsBaseline vital signs Signs of allergic reactionSigns of allergic reaction
Treat the patient with severe Treat the patient with severe
respiratory distress secondary to respiratory distress secondary to
allergic reaction aggressively...allergic reaction aggressively...
……hhigh flow Oigh flow O22 and airway and airway
management techniques, management techniques,
including BVM, may be including BVM, may be
necessary.necessary.
Reassessing the airway of a Reassessing the airway of a
patient with an allergic patient with an allergic
reaction is areaction is a TOP TOP
PRIORITY!PRIORITY!
Administration of Administration of MedicationMedication
Administration of Administration of MedicationMedication
Epinephrine:Epinephrine:
A medication used to dilate the A medication used to dilate the bronchioles, prevent tissue bronchioles, prevent tissue swelling, constrict the blood swelling, constrict the blood vessels and increase the ability vessels and increase the ability of the heart to pump blood.of the heart to pump blood.
Autoinjector:Autoinjector:
A device that administers a A device that administers a preset dose of medication in a preset dose of medication in a safe manner, by way of safe manner, by way of intramuscular self-injection.intramuscular self-injection.
Assessment reveals a patient with a Assessment reveals a patient with a severe allergic reaction severe allergic reaction Respiratory compromise and/or hypoperfusionRespiratory compromise and/or hypoperfusion
Medication has been prescribed for this patient by a physicianMedication has been prescribed for this patient by a physician
Medical direction authorizes use for Medical direction authorizes use for this patientthis patient
Expiration date currentExpiration date current
Criteria for Epinephrine Autoinjector Criteria for Epinephrine Autoinjector
There are There are NO NO
CONTRAINDICATIONSCONTRAINDICATIONS
to epinephrine in a life-to epinephrine in a life-
threatening emergency!threatening emergency!
Use of the Autoinjector
Obtain Obtain authorization.authorization.Obtain Obtain authorization.authorization.
Use of the Autoinjector continued
Remove the safety Remove the safety cap.cap.Remove the safety Remove the safety cap.cap.
Use of the Autoinjector continued
Place tip at 90-Place tip at 90-degree angle degree angle against thigh.against thigh.
Place tip at 90-Place tip at 90-degree angle degree angle against thigh.against thigh.
Common Epinephrine Side Effects Common Epinephrine Side Effects
Increased heart rate and Increased heart rate and blood pressureblood pressure
Pale skinPale skin
DizzinessDizziness
Chest painChest pain
HeadacheHeadache
Continue to reassess the Continue to reassess the
patient every patient every 5 minutes5 minutes
after epinephrine after epinephrine
injection!injection!RAPID TRANSPORT
IS ESSENTIAL!
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