Immunology Emergency Terminology

Question 1

immune system

Answer 1

primary system involved in allergic reactions

Question 2

main goal of immune system

Answer 2

destruction or inactivation of pathogens, abnormal cells, and foreign molecules such as toxins

Question 3

cellular immunity

Answer 3

direct attack of foreign substance by specialized cells of immune system
- physically engulf and deactivate

Question 4

humoral immunity

Answer 4

more complicated chemical attack of invading substance
- antibodies are used to accomplish the attack

Question 5

immunoglobin

Question 6

what does Ig stand for?

Answer 6

immunoglobins

Question 7

histamines*

Answer 7

• histamine release leads to the allergic reaction and/or anaphylaxis

Question 8

motility

Question 9

vascular permeability

Question 10

anaphylaxis

Answer 10

• sudden onset (30-60 seconds)
• the quicker the reaction, the more severe
• “feeling of impending doom”

Question 11

symptoms of anaphylaxis

Answer 11

• laryngeal edema
• laryngospasm
• complete airway obstruction
• tachypnea (wheezes, increasing diminished lung sounds)
• diffuse rash, hives

Question 12

laryngeal edema

Question 13

laryngospasm

Question 14

management of anaphylaxis

Answer 14

• cardiac monitoring (ALS)
• consider early ALS for advanced airway management
• oxygen (1st line medication)
• epi pen (hold injector in place for 10 seconds at thigh muscles)

Question 15

epinephrine (epi pen)

Answer 15

• prescribed/used during severe allergic reaction/anaphylaxis
• vasoconstrictor

Question 16

adult dose of epinephrine

Answer 16

0.3mg (over 66 lbs)

Question 17

pediatric dose of epinephrine

Answer 17

0.15mg (up to 66 lbs)

Question 18

what occurs after administration of epi pen?

Answer 18

• increased heart rate
• increased bp

Question 19

what causes hypotension?

Answer 19

vasodilation

Question 20

neurogenic distributive shock

Answer 20

• loss of normal vasomotor tone due to unopposed parasympathetic response
• massive vasodilation
• hypotension and bradycardia

Question 21

anaphylactic distributive shock

Answer 21

• most extreme form of anaphylaxis
• hypotension, tachycardia, bronchoconstriction, edema, dyspnea
• ultimately leads to cardiorespiratory failure

Question 22

septic distributive shock

Answer 22

• systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
• can lead to severe organ dysfunction and death
• profound circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities cause increased risk of mortality than sepsis
• hypotension, tachycardia, edema, AMS, fever, dyspnea