You have arrived by the side of a lethargic patient who is allergic to latex and was exposed to it when she spilled a latex-containing powder on her right hand. She is able to speak only a few words with each breath, and a quick glance at the pulse oximeter reveals the saturation is in the 80-90% range. Additionally, the patient's tongue is swollen and her respirations are rapid, labored, and noisy. Which action is your immediate priority?

Emergency medical services (EMTs) respond to allergic reactions by laying the person flat, giving them an adrenaline injector, calling an ambulance, and calling family or emergency contact. The first-line treatment for anaphylaxis is an epinephrine auto-injector, which is a self-injectable medication. The auto-injector has instructions on the side of its packaging.  Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. It involves more than one body system and can cause the airway to swell and close, making breathing difficult or impossible. Symptoms... Show more

Emergency medical services (EMTs) respond to allergic reactions by laying the person flat, giving them an adrenaline injector, calling an ambulance, and calling family or emergency contact. The first-line treatment for anaphylaxis is an epinephrine auto-injector, which is a self-injectable medication. The auto-injector has instructions on the side of its packaging. 

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. It involves more than one body system and can cause the airway to swell and close, making breathing difficult or impossible.

Symptoms include: Difficulty breathing, Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat, Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or wheezing, Dizziness and/or fainting, Stomach pain, bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea, Uterine cramps, Feeling like something awful is about to happen 

EMTs should begin the epinephrine ejection as early as possible to reduce the symptoms and reopen the airways. After the injection, an EMT should stay attentive, monitoring the patient's condition and facilitating proper breathing. 

An anaphylactic reaction can manifest after four distinct events: Exposure to an antigen, Antibody/antigen attachment, Release of mediators, Patient demonstrates an outward response to the mediators 
 

Common causes of allergic reactions include: Pollen, Stings and bites, Latex Some food items, such as nuts, shellfish, eggs, or dairy products 

You can prevent anaphylaxis by:
Staying away from substances that cause this severe reaction
Wearing a medical alert necklace or bracelet
Keeping an emergency kit with prescribed medications available at all times

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