Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis

1. 1. acute systemic response that occurs in highly sensitive persons following injection of particular antigen (see pg 333 box13-1)

2. reaction begins within minutes of the exposure & can be simultaneous

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

1. feelings of uneasiness or foreboding

2. light headedness

3. itching palms & scalp

4. angioedema

5. edema of the uvula & larynx

6. pt may appear to be gasping for air, strider, wheezing, or barking cough

7. the respiratory effects can lead to death if not immediate interventions

Systemic Treatment

1. antihistamine – IV therapy benadryl

2. adrenaline – epinephrine can cause angina, restlessness, & taccycardia

3. bronchodilators – aminophylline

4. steroids – methyl prednisone, dexamethasone

5. hypotensives – dopamine

6. emergency O₂ – intubate

If you are administering drugs IV and pt shows anaphylaxis S&Sx

1. stop infusion immediately

2. stay with pt & hit call light

3. ask for medical support

4. maintain good IV line – ringer's lactate

5. place in supine position

6. take vitals every 2-5 minutes

7. administer emergency drugs as prescribed

8. maintain airway, give O₂

9. provide emotional support

Wound classification according to origin

1. surgical

2. non-surgical

3. know underlying cause of wound

4. acute

5. chronic

6. degree of tissue affected: burns

   a. superficial

   b. partial thickness

   c. full-thickness

Wound classification based on color – instead of extent of damage to tissues

1. this system can be applied to any type of wound that is healing by secondary intention

2. surgical wounds left open due to infection can be used with this system

3. sometimes wound can have two to three colors – go by most undesireable color

4. wound colors are red, yellow, and black