Epinephrine Auto Injector

Question 1

What are epipens used for?

Answer 1

For patients with anaphylaxis or severe asthma

Question 2

What is the criteria for assisting patients with their own medications?

Answer 2

The medication must have been prescribed by a physician, the patient meets the indications for administration, no contraindications are present, and an ALS unit must have been requested.

Question 3

What does epinephrine do for the patient?

Answer 3

Bronchial dilation, blood vessel constriction, increases blood pressure, and increases pulse rate

Question 4

What are the indications for administering epinephrine for anaphylaxis?

Answer 4

Airway/facial swelling, stridor, hives, hypotension, itching, accessory muscle use, and wheezing

Question 5

What are the indications for administering epinephrine for sever asthma?

Answer 5

Tripod positioning, wheezing/absent breath sounds, diaphoresis, cyanosis, using all accessory muscles to breathe, <94% SpO2 in patients without COPD, and <88% SpO2 in patients with COPD

Question 6

What are the contraindications for administering epinephrine?

Answer 6

If a person is not showing any signs/symptoms of respiratory distress

Question 7

What is the proper dosage of epinephrine for adults?

Answer 7

0.3mg

Question 8

What is the proper dosage for children under 3 or weighing less than 15kg?

Answer 8

0.15mg

Question 9

How do you administer an EpiPen?

Answer 9

Expose the upper, outer thigh, wipe the area with an alcohol wipe, remove cap, place tip of injector perpendicular to the thigh, press button and hold to thigh for 3 seconds. Use bandage if bleeding