Discuss what symptoms are associated with anaphylactic shock and how the nurse differentiates these from other conditions or issues. What steps should be taken if the nurse suspects anaphylactic shock?

Discuss what symptoms are associated with anaphylactic shock and how the nurse differentiates these from other conditions or issues. What steps should be taken if the nurse suspects anaphylactic shock?

Topic 4 DQ 2

Shock is a syndrome depicted by impaired cell metabolism and lowered perfusion to body tissues arising from an imbalance in the supply and demand for nutrients and oxygen. Anaphylactic shock results in maldistribution of blood flow. Alvarez-Perea et al. (2017) define anaphylactic shock as a life-threatening systemic or generalized systemic hypersensitivity reaction triggered by an allergy. Triggers include insect stings, medications (such as penicillin and NSAIDs), and certain foods, resulting in massive vasodilation, the release of inflammatory mediators, and increased permeability of the capillaries. These result in circulation and airway problems that are life-threatening (Reber et al., 2017). Anaphylactic shock is difficult to recognize due to variability in diagnostic criteria promptly. However, it presents unique clinical features that the nurse recognizes and institutes immediate treatment approaches.

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Anaphylactic shock presents with respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, hoarseness, stridor, fullness, or feelings of a lump in the throat (McLendon & Sternard, 2020). The patient has hypotension, urticaria, angioedema, abdominal pain, urticaria, cyanosis, diarrhea, and vomiting (Alvarez-Perea et al., 2017). Moreover, the patient may have sialorrhea, dysphonia, and swollen lips or tongue. These symptoms may assist the nurse in identifying anaphylactic shock in clinical settings. However, recognizing anaphylaxis is challenging due to different signs and symptoms combinations (Alvarez-Perea et al., 2017). It is particularly challenging to recognize the condition when cutaneous symptoms are absent.

Nursing Management

When the nurse suspects anaphylactic shock, they should administer supplemental oxygen for breathing difficulties. Injectable epinephrine is the first line of therapy and should be administered immediately (Fischer et al., 2018). Epinephrine administration should be coupled with consciousness, airway, breathing, and circulation assessment by the healthcare provider. The nurse should continue monitoring the patient’s vital signs regularly and offer cardiorespiratory and fluid resuscitation as indicated (Alvarez-Perea et al., 2017). Immediate or prompt interventions reduce the severity of symptoms, saving lives.

References

Alvarez-Perea, A., Tanno, L. K., & Baeza, M. L. (2017). How to manage anaphylaxis in primary care. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13601-017-0182-7

Fischer, D., Vander Leek, T. K., Ellis, A. K., & Kim, H. (2018). Anaphylaxis. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, 14(S2). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-018-0283-4

McLendon, K., & Sternard, B. (2020). Anaphylaxis. StatPearls. https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/17514

Reber, L. L., Hernandez, J. D., & Galli, S. J. (2017). The pathophysiology of anaphylaxis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 140(2), 335–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2017.06.003

 

Topic 4 DQ 2

Discuss what symptoms are associated with anaphylactic shock and how the nurse differentiates these from other conditions or issues. What steps should be taken if the nurse suspects anaphylactic shock?

Attempt Start Date: 02-Jan-2022 at 11:00:00 PM

Due Date: 07-Jan-2022 at 10:59:59 PM
Maximum Points: 8.0