Recognition
What is Anaphylaxis?
What is the body’s reaction to a food protein or foreign material entering the body that it's not familiar with
What immune system chemical is released during allergic reactions and contributes to swelling and itching?
What is histamine?
What assessment should an EMT prioritize when a patient may be experiencing anaphylaxis?
What is the primary assessment (ABC)
What medication is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
What is epinephrine?
A patient says they feel like their throat is closing after eating shellfish. They are anxious, breathing rapidly, and have a hoarse voice. A firefighter suggests the patient is just having a panic attack. What finding makes anaphylaxis a major concern?
What is hoarseness suggesting a possible upper-airway reaction
What body system do Hives fall under?
What is the Immune System
What happens to the airways when bronchoconstriction develops?
What is narrowing of the airways, making breathing more difficult?
What four types of information should an EMT gather when evaluating a suspected allergic reaction?
What are exposure history, symptom onset, associated symptoms, and medical/allergy history? (SAMPLE)
What route is generally used to administer epinephrine for anaphylaxis in the prehospital setting?
What is the intramuscular route, typically into the anterolateral thigh?
A patient has widespread hives and wheezing after taking an antibiotic. Your partner wants to give an antihistamine first to treat the allergic reaction. Which medication is the first-line treatment, and why?
What is epinephrine, because antihistamines do not rapidly treat life-threatening airway compromise or shock
What part of the airway is affected by tongue, throat swelling, hoarseness, and stridor?
What is Upper Airway
What two vascular changes can cause blood pressure to drop during anaphylaxis?
What are vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
What vital sign change may indicate worsening anaphylactic shock?
What is falling blood pressure and rising pulse
What are two major benefits of epinephrine during anaphylaxis?
What are bronchodilation and vasoconstriction, which help improve breathing and blood pressure?
A patient with anaphylaxis is dizzy, hypotensive, and weak while standing. They ask to sit upright because they feel short of breath. What positioning consideration is important?
What is keeping the patient from standing or walking and positioning them to support circulation and breathing, avoiding sudden upright positioning in a hypotensive patient.
A patient develops hives, wheezing, and hypotension shortly after eating peanuts. What makes this more concerning than an isolated skin reaction?
What is the involvement of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems?
Why can a patient with anaphylaxis develop shock even without visible external bleeding?
What is reduced circulating blood volume from fluid shifting into tissues, combined with vasodilation?
A patient has facial swelling and a hoarse voice but no hives. What serious problem must the EMT suspect?
What is the dosage of Epinephrine for Adults and Pediatrics
What is Adults (0.3 mgs) and Peds (0.15 mgs)
You assess a 6-year-old who was stung by a wasp. The child has facial swelling, wheezing, and poor responsiveness. The parent has an epinephrine auto-injector prescribed for the child. What are your immediate priorities?
What are rapid ABC assessment, epinephrine use, High-flow O2, and prep for rapid transport.
Can we use our own Epinephrine on patients?
What is no, we can only use patients Epi
What is the name for a second phase of anaphylaxis that occurs after initial symptoms improve, without another exposure?
What is a biphasic anaphylactic reaction?
After epinephrine, a patient's wheezing improves. Why must the EMT continue reassessing the patient?
What is the risk of persistent or recurring symptoms, including airway compromise and shock?
A patient with anaphylaxis is hypotensive and struggling to breathe. Name two additional supportive actions an EMT may take while arranging rapid transport.
A patient improves after epinephrine for anaphylaxis. During transport, the patient suddenly develops wheezing and dizziness again. What is this recurrence called, and what should the EMT do?
What is a possible biphasic anaphylactic reaction, requiring immediate reassessment, supportive care, and repeat epinephrine if indicated.