Chapter 37 - Assessment and Management of patients with allergic disorders
What is the most common cause of anaphylaxis?
Penicillin
What education should the nurse provide to the patient taking long-term corticosteroids?
The patient should not stop taking the medication abruptly and should be weaned off of the medication.
A client presents at the clinic with an allergic disorder. The client asks the nurse what an "allergic disorder" means. What would be the nurse's best response?
"It is a hyperimmune response to something in the environment that is usually harmless."
A patient was seen in the clinic 3 days previously for allergic rhinitis and was given a prescription for a corticosteroid nasal spray. The patient calls the clinic and tells the nurse that the nasal spray is not working. What is the best response by the nurse?
"The full benefit of the medication may take up to 2 weeks to be achieved."
When evaluating a client's knowledge about use of antihistamines, what statement indicates further education is required?
"If I am pregnant, I should take half the dose."
A client reports to a health care provider's office for intradermal allergy testing. Before testing, the nurse provides client teaching. Which client statement indicates a need for further education?
"If I notice tingling in my lips or mouth, gargling may help the symptoms."
Which allergic reaction is potentially life threatening?
Angioedema
A client calls the clinic and asks the nurse if using oxymetazoline nasal spray would be all right to relieve the nasal congestion the client is experiencing due to seasonal allergies. What instructions should the nurse provide to the client to avoid complications?
Do not overuse the medication as rebound congestion can occur.
A patient is experiencing an allergic reaction to a dose of penicillin. What should the nurse look for in the patient's initial assessment?
Dyspnea, bronchospasm, and/or laryngeal edema
The nurse is evaluating the plan of care for a client with an allergic disorder who has a nursing diagnosis of deficient knowledge related to measures for allergy control. What client statement will indicate to the nurse that the outcome has been met?
Client identifies methods for reducing exposure risk to allergens.
A patient asks the nurse if it would be all right to take an over-the-counter antihistamine for the treatment of a rash. What should the nurse educate the patient is a major side effect of antihistamines?
Sedation
A client visits the employee health department because of mild itching and a rash on both hands. What will the employee health nurse focus on during the assessment interview?
chemical and latex glove use
The nurse is working in an allergy clinic with a client with tuberculosis. What other reaction is a type IV hypersensitivity disorder?
contact dermatitis
The nurse is administering intravenous vancomycin. What will the nurse initially assess the client for if an allergic reaction occurs?
dyspnea, bronchospasm, and/or laryngeal edema
The nurse is working with a client with allergies. What will the nurse use to confirm allergies and decrease the risk of anaphylaxis?
intradermal testing
A patient comes to the clinic with pruritus and nasal congestion after eating shrimp for lunch. The nurse is aware that the patient may be having an anaphylactic reaction to the shrimp. These symptoms typically occur within how many hours after exposure?
2 hours
Which body substance causes increased gastric secretion, dilation of capillaries, and constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle?
Histamine
A client develops a facial rash and urticaria after receiving penicillin. Which laboratory value does the nurse expect to be elevated?
IgE (Immunoglobulin E)
The nurse working in an allergy clinic is preparing to administer skin testing to a client. Which route is the safest for the nurse to use to administer the solution?
Intradermal
An infant is born to a mother who had no prenatal care during her pregnancy. What type of hypersensitivity reaction does the nurse understand may have occurred?
Rh-hemolytic disease
