Anaphylaxis/anaphylactic shock

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

a severe allergic reaction, a variety of allergens can cause anaphylaxis including drugs, food + latex. Characterised by rapidly developing airway + or breathing/circulation problems usually associated with skin + mucosal changes

Question 2

Signs

Answer 2

weak + rapid pulse, wheezing, swelling of the lips, tongue, eyelids + throat. cold + clammy, rashes, collapse, respiratory or cardiac failure can happen

Question 3

Symptoms

Answer 3

feeling of itchiness, nausea, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing

Question 4

Action

Answer 4

lay flat with legs raised, maintain the airway. give oxygen and can give antihistamines from the drug kit + adrenaline. seek medical attention urgently, help pt to administer any known medication that they carry for allergies.

Question 5

Management

Answer 5

use ABCDE approach to recognise + assess pt.

• if airway is clear, lie pt flat + elevate the legs
• give oxygen 10-15 litres per minute
• adrenaline should be administered 500 micrograms and if there is no improvement after 5 mins then this should be repeated.
• wheezing can be treated with salbutamol inhaler + all pts need to be sent to hospital