The Immune System Flashcards
What is Anaphylaxis?
Severe Allergic Reaction
Characterised by rapidly developing airway and/or breathing and/or circulation compromise
Associated with Skin and Mucosal changes.
Serious systemic hypersensitivity reaction that is usually rapid in onset and may cause death.
What are examples of Treatments of Anaphylaxis?
Should be based on General Life support principles.
Use ABCDE
Call for Help Early
Treat greater threat to life first
What is meant by Atopic?
Having a predisposition towards developing certain allergic hypersensitivity reactions.
Shows through conditions such as eczema, hay fever, asthma or tendency to anaphylaxis.
Have increased levels of IGE in immune system.
What is Immunoglobulin?
Substance that forms part of the defensive immune system.
What is the Initial Pathophysiology of Anaphylaxis?
Anitgen (Nut, Protein Trigger) enters the body.
Antigen attaches itself to mast and basophil cells.
Body manufactured IgE antibodies and when they bind to mast cells they set of a cascade of allergic reaction.
Body now has a primary response.
Memory is laid down.
Individual now refereed to as being sensitised.
At this point no symptoms are present.
Changes take place at cellular level.
What is the Second stage of Pathophysiology of Anaphylaxis?
Mast cells containing Basophils degenerate and cells rupture.
Major explosion of contents of immune system dumped into blood stream, to all major systems of the body.
Pre-formed mediators, strored in cytoplasm are also released as cells rupture.
Release of chemical mediators cause massive vasodilation and fluid shift. Creates internal vascular environment reflects hypovalaemic shock.
Rapid fluid shift moves into and around key organs such as lung and heart.
Compromised both respiratory system and cardiovascular system.
What is the Actions of the Mediators?
Bronchoconstriction
Peripheral Vasodilation
Mucousal oedema
Increase in mucus production
Increased capillary permeability
What are the Mast and Basophil cells?
Found predominantly in connective tissues in:
Respiratory system
Cardiovascular system
Gastrointestinal system
Skin
How to Diagnose Anaphylaxis?
Sudden onset and Rapid progression of symptoms
Life threatening airway or breathing and or circulation problems
Skin and/or mucosal changes.
What are the Symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
Hoarse Voice
Stridor
Shortness of Breath
Wheeze
Hypoxia
Tachycardia/Hypotension
Decreased Conscious level
Erythema
What is a Histamine?
Causes vasodilation and increased vascular permeability promoting oedema
Stimulated secretion of large amounts of mucus
Causes smooth muscles to contract
Causes increased gastric acid secretion
Causes cardiovascular stimulation
What are the Clinical Manifestations of Anaphylaxis?
A - Potential upper airway obstruction, Swelling, Voice Changes.
B - Dyspnoea, Stridor, Wheeze, Hoarseness, Cough, Bronchospasm
C - Tachycardia, Hypotension, Sign of Shock - ECG Changes, Pale, Clammy
D - Alerted level of consciousness, Confusion, caused by Hypoxia, Agitation
E - Erythema - Patchy red rash, Vomiting, Abdo Pain.
What are the Treatments for Anaphylaxis?
ABCDE
Position Patient
Remove Allergen
High Flow Oxygen
IM Adrenaline (THIGH)
IV Adrenaline
Chlorophenamine (IM or Slow IV) 10mg
Hydrocortisone (IM or Slow IV) 200mg
What are Antihistamine?
Blocks Histamine Receptors
Chlorophenamine 10mg
IV or IM injection
What is Hydrocortisone?
Short acting synthetic steroid
Reduces effects of an allergic response, reducing inflammation and treating urticaria
200mg IM or slow IV.
