NREMT EMT 6: Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology - Lymphatic and Immune Systems, Immune Response, Shock, Anaphylaxis

What This Is: Immune Response, Shock, and Anaphylaxis

When our body's immune system detects a threat, it triggers an immune response to fight it off. Imagine your immune system as a superhero team that works together to save the day. However, if the threat is too strong, the immune system can overreact, leading to anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction) or shock (a condition where the body's vital organs don't get enough blood flow). In a real-world example, a person with a severe peanut allergy might experience anaphylaxis after eating a peanut, requiring immediate medical attention.

Key Steps / Core Facts:

• Immune Response: A complex process where the immune system identifies and fights off pathogens (germs). It's like a detective solving a mystery.
  • Why it matters: Understanding the immune response helps us recognize when it's working properly or not.
  • Example: A healthy person's immune system can fight off a common cold.
• Anaphylaxis: A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
  • Why it matters: Recognizing anaphylaxis symptoms is crucial for prompt treatment.
  • Example: A person with a severe peanut allergy might experience anaphylaxis after eating a peanut.
• Shock: A condition where the body's vital organs don't get enough blood flow.
  • Why it matters: Recognizing shock symptoms is crucial for prompt treatment.
  • Example: A person who has been bleeding heavily might experience shock.
• CPR Compression Depth: At least 2 inches – like pushing down a soda can.
  • Why it matters: Proper compression depth is essential for effective CPR.
  • Example: 30:2 ratio for adult CPR (30 compressions, 2 breaths).
• Anaphylaxis Symptoms: Hives, itching, swelling, stomach cramps, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting.
  • Why it matters: Recognizing anaphylaxis symptoms is crucial for prompt treatment.
  • Example: A person with a severe peanut allergy might experience anaphylaxis after eating a peanut.
• Shock Symptoms: Pale or cool skin, rapid or weak pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
  • Why it matters: Recognizing shock symptoms is crucial for prompt treatment.
  • Example: A person who has been bleeding heavily might experience shock.
• Anaphylaxis Treatment: Administer epinephrine (e.g., EpiPen) and call 911.
  • Why it matters: Prompt treatment is essential for anaphylaxis.
  • Example: A person with a severe peanut allergy might need an EpiPen after eating a peanut.
• Shock Treatment: Administer fluids, oxygen, and medications as needed, and call 911.
  • Why it matters: Prompt treatment is essential for shock.
  • Example: A person who has been bleeding heavily might need fluids and oxygen.
• Immune System Weakness: Weakened immune system due to age, illness, or medication.
  • Why it matters: Recognizing immune system weakness is crucial for proper treatment.
  • Example: An elderly person with a weakened immune system might be more susceptible to infections.
• Infection: A condition where a pathogen (germ) invades the body.
  • Why it matters: Recognizing infection symptoms is crucial for prompt treatment.
  • Example: A person with a fever, chills, and cough might have pneumonia.

What Laypeople Can Do:

• Recognize Anaphylaxis Symptoms: If someone is experiencing hives, itching, swelling, stomach cramps, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting, call 911 and administer epinephrine (if available).
• Provide CPR: If someone is unresponsive, not breathing, or not breathing normally, start CPR (30:2 ratio for adult CPR).
• Call 911: If someone is experiencing shock symptoms or anaphylaxis symptoms, call 911 immediately.
• Administer Epinephrine: If someone has an EpiPen and is experiencing anaphylaxis symptoms, administer the epinephrine and call 911.
• Stay Calm: In an emergency situation, stay calm and follow proper procedures.

Common Mistakes:

• Mistake: Not recognizing anaphylaxis symptoms.
  • Fix: Recognize symptoms and call 911 immediately.
• Mistake: Not administering epinephrine in anaphylaxis.
  • Fix: Administer epinephrine (if available) and call 911.
• Mistake: Not providing CPR in cardiac arrest.
  • Fix: Start CPR (30:2 ratio for adult CPR) and call 911.
• Mistake: Not calling 911 in shock or anaphylaxis.
  • Fix: Call 911 immediately in these situations.
• Mistake: Not staying calm in an emergency situation.
  • Fix: Stay calm and follow proper procedures.

Quick Practice Scenarios:

• Scenario: A person is experiencing hives, itching, and swelling after eating a peanut.
  • What should you do first? Administer epinephrine (if available) and call 911.
• Scenario: A person is unresponsive, not breathing, and not breathing normally.
  • What should you do first? Start CPR (30:2 ratio for adult CPR).
• Scenario: A person is experiencing pale or cool skin, rapid or weak pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
  • What should you do first? Call 911 and administer fluids, oxygen, and medications as needed.

Last-Minute Exam Cram:

• Normal Vital Sign Ranges: Heart rate: 60-100 beats per minute, blood pressure: 90-120/60-80 mmHg, respiratory rate: 12-20 breaths per minute.
• Epinephrine Dose: 0.3-0.5 mg (EpiPen) for anaphylaxis.
• CPR Ratio: 30:2 (30 compressions, 2 breaths) for adult CPR.
• Anaphylaxis Treatment: Administer epinephrine (if available) and call 911.
• Shock Treatment: Administer fluids, oxygen, and medications as needed, and call 911.
• Immune System Weakness: Recognize weakened immune system due to age, illness, or medication.
• Infection: Recognize infection symptoms (fever, chills, cough, etc.).
• AVPU: Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive (assessment sequence).
• SAMPLE: Size, Age, Medical history, Allergies, Last meal, Events (assessment sequence).
• OPQRSTI: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, Time, Insurance (pain assessment sequence).
• Agonal Breathing: Not normal breathing – start CPR.
• Shock: Recognize symptoms (pale or cool skin, rapid or weak pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, or loss of consciousness) and call 911.