3. Allergic Reaction An exaggerated reaction by the body’s immune system to any substance Anaphylaxis A life-threatening allergic reaction that causes shock (hypoperfusion) and airway swelling K EY TERMS
29. Epinephrine auto-injectors use needles to administer epinephrine. Injectable drugs are not commonly used at the EMT-B level. This truly life-saving drug is an exception. There are two important points to stress to a new EMT-B: After the auto-injector is placed against the patient’s thigh, it must be held in place to allow the medication to be injected. Simply pressing and immediately removing the device will be ineffective. After the device is used, it must be considered a contaminated sharp and treated accordingly: disposed of in a sharps container! P RECEPTOR P EARL
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35. 1. Explain how to identify a patient experiencing an allergic reaction. 2. What are the differences between a mild allergic reaction and anaphylaxis? 3. How is an allergic reaction treated? 4. When and how should the EMT-B assist a patient with an epinephrine auto-injector? R EVIEW QUESTIONS