Acute Care Flashcards
In the statement “Minimum equipment guidelines for pediatric prehospital care”, what is the most notable new recommendation made for a piece of equipment that should be available for paramedic use?
AED
What percentage of anaphylactic reactions end up having an identifiable trigger?-top 3 most common trigger?
30%-Most common triggers: food, insect bites, medications
What is the clinical criteria for diagnosis of anaphylaxis?
Any 1 of the 3 criteria:1. Acute onset of skin or mucosal tissue changes (minutes to hours) with one of the following:-respiratory compromise (dyspnea, wheeze, stridor, hypoxemia)-reduced BP or associated symptoms of end organ dysfunction (incontinence, syncope, hypotonia)2. For patient exposed to a LIKELY allergen for that patient, need two of the following:-involvement of skin-mucosal tissue-respiratory compromise-reduced BP or associated symptoms of end organ dysfunction-persistent GI symptoms (crampy abdo pain or vomiting)3. For patient exposed to a KNOWN allergen:-reduced BP (in minutes to hours)
What are the available doses of self-injectable epinephrine?
10-25 kg: 0.15 mg EpiPen Jr>25 kg: 0.30 mg EpiPen(
What are the medications used in the management of anaphylaxis: name, dose, max dose
Epinephrine (1:1000)-dose: 0.01 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg) q5-15mins as required-max: 0.5 mgCetirizine (H1 antagonist, non-sedating)-dose: 6 mo - 5 yrs: 5-10 mg PO ODDiphenhydramine (Benadryl, H1 antagonist, sedating)-dose: 1 mg/kg PO/IV q4-6h for cutaneous symptoms-max: 50 mgRanitidine (H2 antagonist)-dose: 1 mg/kg q8h for cutaneous symptoms-max: 50 mgCorticosteroids (prednisone PO or methylpred IV)-dose: 1 mg/kg-max: 75 mg prednisone, 125 methylpredSalbutamol:-dose: 5-10 puffs via MDI or 2.5-5 mg nebs q20 minutes for respiratory symptoms (wheezing/SOB)Nebulized epi (1:1000):-dose: 2.5-5 ml neb q20minutes for stridorEpinephrine IV infusion-dose: 0.1-1 mcg/kg/min for hypotension -max: 10 mcg/kg/min
What is the vascular access recommended in all patients experiencing anaphylaxis and why?
2 large bore IVs should be inserted since anaphylaxis causes distributive shock and patients can lose up to 35% of their circulating blood volume in the first 10 minutes.
What position should patients in anaphylaxis be placed in and why?
Supine or trendelenburg position to optimize venous return to the heart and prevent pooling of blood in lower extremities due to systemic vasodilation
For patients with anaphylaxis and cardiovascular signs (hypotension, tachycardia, delayed capillary refill), what should management be?
Aggressive fluid resuscitation with boluses!If persistently poor perfusion and hypotension despite fluid boluses, will need epinephrine infusion and ICU admission
What is the minimum amount of time patients with anaphylaxis should be observed in hospital prior to discharge home and why?
Increased risk for biphasic response in first 4-6 hours but can occur in up to 72 hours-should observe for minimum of 4-6 hours
What are the effects of epinephrine in the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis?
Alpha-adrenergic properties: increases peripheral vascular resistance and reverses peripheral vasodilationBeta-1 adrenergic effects: inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heartBeta-2 adrenergic effects: bronchodilation and reduction of inflammatory mediator release from mast cells and basophils
What form of epinephrine is proven to be most effective in treatment of anaphylaxis?-Why IM over IV?
IM injection of 1:1000 epinephrine 0.01 ml/kg (max 0.5 mg) into the anterolateral thigh and repeat q5-15 mins depending on patient’s response to previous doses.-IM administration results in faster and higher peak plasma concentrations compared with IM or subcutaneous injection into the upper arm-IV administration of epinephrine boluses is NOT ideal because immediate effects are short-lived and can induce cardiac arrhythmias when administered too quickly
What are examples of H1 antagonists and H2 antagonists used in anaphylaxis?-why should you use both?
H1 antagonists: diphenhydramine and cetirizine (can use either)-cetirizine in a patient who is not vomiting is best since it is faster in onset and less sedatingH2 antagonists: ranitidine or famotidineGive both H1 and H2 antagonists because combined effect is superior in treating cutaneous manifestations compared with use of H1 antagonists alone
What is the evidence for steroid use in anaphylaxis?
No evidence for use!-No randomized controlled trials have demonstrated a proven benefit of steroids in the treatment of anaphylaxis-most experts would still recommend treatment with steroids with the knowledge that onset is slow and there will likely be little beneft in the acute phase of management
What is the evidence for use of epi nebs for treatment of upper airway obstruction in anaphylaxis?
No studies have documented the clinical efficacy of epi nebs for treatment of upper airway obstruction induced by anaphylaxis-the first line treatment for symptoms of upper or lower airway obstruction due to anaphylaxis is IM epi!!!!
What is the first line mainstay of treatment of upper and lower airway obstruction symptoms due to anaphylaxis?
IM EPINEPHRINE!-salbutamol and epinephrine nebs are only supportive! (Not great evidence supporting their use)
In a patient with anaphylaxis and persistent hypotension despite fluid boluses, what is the management?
No evidence for repeated doses of IM epinephrine in improving hypotension-need epinephrine infusion at dose of 0.1 mcg/kg/min and gradual titration to produce a normal blood pressure (max 10 mcg/kg/min)
What is the management for a patient in anaphylaxis who is on regular beta blockers with persistent hypotension despite epinephrine administration?
Due to beta blockers, the IM epinephrine may not be able to produce effects on beta receptors-need to give reversal agent = glucagon-glucagon activates adenylate cyclase independent of the beta receptor to reverse cardiovascular effects of anaphylaxis-20 mcg/kg to 30 mcg/kg IV over 5 minutes (max 1 mg) followed by glucagon infusion at rate of 5 mcg/min to 15 mcg/min
Biphasic anaphylactic reactions are more likely to occur in which 3 clinical scenarios?-what is the management of a biphasic anaphylaxis reaction?
- Delayed administration of epinephrine2. Presentation with severe symptoms (resp distress or hypotension)3. Multiple doses of epinephrine requiredBiphasic anaphylaxis reaction: repeat IM epi and other supportive therapies and admit into hospital for monitoring
Which patients with anaphylaxis should strongly be considered for overnight observation or admission (aka more than 4-6 hrs in ED)? (3)
- Patients with peanut allergy2. Patients with asthma3. Use of beta blockers
What is the discharge management of patients from the ED with anaphylaxis?
- Rx for self-injectable epinephrine2. Leave the ED with an epinephrine autoinjector in case a biphasic reaction occurs on the way home3. Counsel parents how and when to give the self-injectable epinephrine and that two doses should be available for administration with the child at all times (at school and with the parent or child)4. Recommend MedicAlert bracelet5. Refer to allergist or immunologist
When a patient with known asthma presents with sats
Higher morbidity and greater risk for hospitalization
What is the most common cause of emergency room visits?-2 most common causes of acute gastroenteritis?
Acute gastroenteritis-2 most common causes: rotavirus and norovirus
What is the mechanism of action of ondansetron?-onset of action?
selective serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist-if taken orally, quickly absorbed into GI tract and onset 1-2 hrs
What is the most common side effect of ondansetron use in gastroenteritis?
Increased diarrhea up to 48 hrs after administration - mild and self-limiting-no other adverse events seen