Page 189 - ATP-P 11th Ed

ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION PROTOCOL

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. Acute, widely distributed form of shock which occurs within minutes of expo-
sure to an allergen.
2. Primary causes include insect envenomation, medications, and food allergies.
3. Death can result from airway compromise, inability to ventilate, or cardiovascu-
lar collapse.
4. The Medic’s responsibility is to know if members in the unit have such a condi- SECTION 2
tion. Moreover, the Medic must also ensure that the member has some sort of
anaphylaxis kit and is trained to use it.
5. Consider localized allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency.
Signs and Symptoms
1. Wheezing (bronchospasm)
2. Dyspnea
3. Stridor (laryngeal edema)
4. Angioedema
5. Urticaria (Hives)
6. Hypotension
7. Tachycardia
Management
FOR PATIENTS WITH SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AIRWAY INVOLVEMENT
AND/OR CIRCULATORY COLLAPSE:
1. Epinephrine is the mainstay of therapy.
®
a. Administer EpiPen .
b. OR epinephrine 0.5mg (0.5mL of 1:1000 IM). DO NOT USE INTRA VENOUSLY.
c. Repeat epinephrine q5min prn.
2. Oxygen with pulse oximetry monitoring
3. If severe respiratory distress exists, aggressive airway management with bag-valve-
mask and airway adjuncts (oral and nasopharyngeal airways). Intubate early if no re-
sponse to epinephrine.

178 SECTION 2 TACTICAL MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS (TMEPs) ATP-P Handbook 11th Edition 179