Anaphylaxis

You answer Mr Brown’s buzzer and when you enter his room he is obviously distressed and is thrashing around on his bed.  He complains of difficulty breathing and has an audible stridor (high pitched wheezing sound).  You know that he commenced his first dose of intravenous penicillin 10 minutes ago via an infusion pump.  You suspect that Mr Brown is having an anaphylactic reaction. 

1. What is anaphylaxis?  In your answer, please outline the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis and list five (5) common agents that may trigger anaphylaxis (min 100 words).
2. Adrenaline 1:1000 via intramuscular injection is the drug of choice for treating anaphylaxis.  What is this drug’s mechanism of action and how does it treat the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?  Why is it preferably given by intramuscular injection? (min 100 words)

3.           Describe your role as an EN responding to Mr B’s nurse call bell. Include in your answer,

• Your immediate priorities, (remember he has an IV)
• Follow-up assessments you as the EN may do over the next 15mins (name at least 4),
• Who would you consult with throughout this event
• What would you need to document?