Chapter 20-Immunologic Emergencies

Question 1

What are allergic reactions?

Answer 1

Exaggerated immune responses to foreign substances

Question 2

What chemicals are released when the body has an allergic reaction?

Answer 2

Histamines and leukotrienes

Question 3

What are the two most common signs of anaphylaxis?

Answer 3

Uticaria and angioedema

Question 4

What are some signs of anaphylaxis other than uticaria and engioedema?

Answer 4

Wheezing, hypotension, and GI dysfunction

Question 5

What causes wheezing in anaphylaxis?

Answer 5

Bronchospasms/bronchoconstriction

Question 6

What are the five common allergen groups?

Answer 6

Food, chemicals, plants, bugs, and medications

Question 7

What are common food allergies?

Answer 7

Peanuts and shellfish

Question 8

What are common medication allergies?

Answer 8

Antibiotics (penicillin) or NSAIDs

Question 9

What are common plant allergies?

Answer 9

Pollen, dust, ryegrass, ragweed, mildew, mold, maple, oak

Question 10

What are common insect allergies?

Answer 10

Bees, ants, wasps, hornet, tick, yellowjacket

Question 11

How long does it take for food allergies to manifest?

Answer 11

over 30 minutes

Question 12

How long does it take for IV medication allergies to manifest? Oral?

Answer 12

Under 30 minutes, over 30 minutes

Question 13

People can die from anaphylactic shock due to insect stings within _____ so rapid transport is paramount.

Answer 13

30 minutes

Question 14

What are signs and symptoms of insect stings?

Answer 14

localized swelling, sudden pain, localized heat, coughing, dyspnea, GI complaints, hypotension

Question 15

When doing SAMPLE and OPQRST for a suspected allergic reaction, what other four questions should you ask?

Answer 15

• Have any interventions already been taken?
• Have you had an allergic reaction in the past? What happened?
• GI complaints?
• Last oral intake?

Question 16

Signs and symptoms associated with the respiratory system?

Answer 16

Runny nose, sneezing, dyspnea, tightness in chest, dry couch, rapid/labored breaths, wheezing/stridor

Question 17

Signs and symptoms associated with cardiovascular system?

Answer 17

Early tachycardia, red/hot skin (early), cool/pale skin (later), late hypotension

Question 18

Signs and symptoms associated with the skin

Answer 18

Flushed/itchy/burning skin, uticaria, swelling, cyanosis around lips, warm/tingling face/chest/mouth/hands/feet

Question 19

Other signs and symptoms

Answer 19

AMS due to hypoperfusion, GI issues, anxiety, nausea

Question 20

What type of hormone is epinephrine?

Answer 20

Sympathomimetic: it mimics the sympathetic (fight or flight) response

Question 21

What does epinephrine trigger?

Answer 21

vessel constriction, increasing cardiac contractions, relieving bronchospasms

Question 22

Indications of epinephrine?

Answer 22

Severe anaphylactic reaction causing ABC compromise

Question 23

Contraindications of epinephrine?

Answer 23

history of heart disease/acute coronary syndrome

Question 24

Side effects of epinephrine?

Answer 24

tachycardia, sweating, plae skin, dizziness, headache, palpitations

Question 25

Dose of epinephrine?

Answer 25

0.3 mg (adult) 0.15 mg (child)

Question 26

How do you administer epinephrine?

Answer 26

Check expiration date
remove safety cap
wipe leg with antiseptic
push pen against leg
hold for 10 seconds
rub area for 10 seconds
record time of administration