Anaphylaxis
Procedure
- 1.Activate EMS.
in the outer thigh muscle (no other area) (See EpiPen administration and ALLERJECT administration below).
- 3.Monitor vital signs closely.
- 4.Administer oxygen if available.
and perform AR (see Artificial Respiration (Rescue Breathing) in Chapter 6).
- 6.Treat for shock.
The used injector should be sent with the patient for proper disposal at a medical facility. This will also show the medical personnel what medication has already been administered. After assisting with the administration of the first dose, you should remain available to reassess and assist the patient as needed. In some cases, a second dose of epinephrine may need to be administered. Many patients will carry a second dose that you can assist with administering. A second dose can be given as early as five minutes after the first dose if there is no improvement in signs and symptoms. Do not administer a second dose if signs of improvement are present.
Related
- 1.Remove the EpiPen auto-injector from the carrier tube.
- 2.Have the patient firmly hold the EpiPen with the orange tip pointing downward.
- 3.Remove the blue safety cap.
90-degree angle to the skin and ensure there is nothing under the clothing that will obstruct the needle injection.
outer thigh until you hear a click.If necessary, you may assist the patient by placing your hand over the patient’s wrist to help with the swing.Keep the hands clear of the orange end where the needle comes out.Holding the patient’s wrist will also help in keeping the needle in place if the patient reacts to the injection and attempts to withdraw their hand.
- 6.Hold the EpiPen against the thigh for at least three seconds.
the orange needle cover automatically extends to cover the injection needle.
- 8.Massage the injection area for 10 seconds.
EpiPen administration. Figure 16-1: Child (green) and adult (yellow) EpiPen devices
Chapter 16, p. 258