Anaphylaxis

Question 1

what is anaphylaxis?

Answer 1

serious, life threatening generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction and a serious allergic reaction that is rapin in onset and might cause death

Question 2

What are the clinical criteria to classify something as anaphylaxis?

Answer 2

Need to fulfill one of the following criteria

1) Acute onset of an illness with the involvement of the skin, mucosal tissue, or both and either respiratory compromise, decrease in BP/associated symptoms of end-organ dysfunction, or both
2) Two or more of the following that occur rapidly after exposure of a likely antigen: Involvement of skin/mucosal tissue, respiratory compromise, decrease BP or related symptoms, persistnet GI problems
3) decrease in BP after exposure to known allergen

Question 3

What are the three patterns of anaphylactic rxn?

Answer 3

Uniphasic
Biphasic
Protracted

Question 4

what is uniphasic anaphylactic reaction?

Answer 4

isolated rxn with signs and symptoms appearing within 30min of exposure to allergen and spontaneously settles or resolves with treatment, generally within 1-2hrs

Question 5

what is biphasic anaphylactic rxn?

Answer 5

rxn resolves then symptoms begin again usually within 8 hours of first symptoms

Question 6

what is protracted anaphylactic rxn?

Answer 6

severe rxn lasting for an extended time (24-32 hours)

Question 7

what are some common triggers of anaphylaxis?

Answer 7

food
drugs
insect stings
latex

Question 8

what are the 3 steps of treatment for anaphylaxis?

Answer 8

CPR (if breathing is affected)
Epinephrine
Seek medical attention

Question 9

what are some side effects of epinephrine injection?

Answer 9

sweating
upset stomach
dizziness
anxiety

Question 10

what are the two kinds of available epinephrine injections? how are they used?

Answer 10

EpiPen
Allerject
Inject into thigh and repeat after 10 minutes with second dose if necessary

Question 11

what is the adult and child doses for epinephrine?

Answer 11

adult = 0.3mg/dose
child = 0.15mg/dose

Question 12

what are two counterirritants that can be used for hives treatment?

Answer 12

camphor/menthol

topical ammonia

Question 13

how does camphor/menthol work to relieve symptoms from hives?

Answer 13

depresses cutaneous receptors to relieve itching and irritation

Question 14

what are two oral treatments for hives?

Answer 14

analgesic (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ASA)

antihistamine (diphenhydramine)

Question 15

How do topical anesthetics help treat hives? give some product examples

Answer 15

cause reversible blockage of conduction nerve impulses where applied that results in loss of sensation for ~15-45min
ex: benzocaine, lidocaine, pramoxine

Question 16

how do topical antihistamines help treat hives?

Answer 16

depresses cutaneous receptors to relieve pain and itching

Question 17

how do skin protectants help treat hives? give some product examples

Answer 17

reduces inflammation and irritation by absorbing fluids from weeping lesions
ex) zinc oxide, calamine

Question 18

how do topical corticosteroids help treat allergic reactions? give a product example

Answer 18

antipruritic and antiinflammatory actions that can prevent or suppress development of edema, capillary dilation, swelling and tenderness associated with inflammation
ex: hydrocortisone 0.5% TID or QID