PrepU Allergic Disorders

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.

There are several types of reactions to latex. The nurse knows to be most concerned about laryngeal edema with the following reaction:

IgE-mediated hypersensitivity.

A patient has had a "stuffy nose" and obtained Afrin nasal spray. What education should the nurse provide to the patient in order to prevent "rebound congestion"?

Only use the Afrin for 3 to 4 days once every 12 hours.

Which intervention is the single most important aspect for the client at risk for anaphylaxis?

prevention

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

Which body substance causes increased gastric secretion, dilation of capillaries, and constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle?

histamine

When a patient experiences an allergic reaction, the nurse should initially assess for:

Dyspnea, bronchospasm, and/or laryngeal edema.