1. How did the scenario make you feel and why? What did you learn from this experience that may help you with future patient care?
The scenario made me feel as if I was dealing with a real patient. When the patient had an allergic reaction to the medication it made me realize how fast action needed to be taken. From this experience I learned that patients should be monitored after introduced to new medications especially those that people commonly have reactions to. Also, that I must balance the risk of tachycardia against the benefit of bronchodilation.
2. What signs and symptoms led you to the conclusion that Kenneth Bronson was experiencing an allergic reaction?
The patient reported feeling a lump on his throat, increased heart rate…show more content… Discuss the differences between mild, moderate, and severe anaphylactic reactions.
Mild reactions reflect in peripheral tingling and sensation of warmth, and/or fullness in the mouth and throat. Nasal congestion, periorbital swelling, pruritus, sneezing and tearing of the eyes. Usually these symptoms begin within the first 2 hours after exposure.
Moderate reactions consist of flushing, warmth anxiety, and itching in addition to any of the symptoms in a mild reaction. Worsening could lead to bronchospasms and edema of the airways or larynx with dyspnea, cough, and wheezing.
Severe reactions are known to have a sudden onset with the same signs and symptoms as the other reactions. The symptoms progress rapidly to bronchospasm, severe dyspnea, laryngeal edema, hypotension and eventually cyanosis. Seizures, cardiac arrest and coma may follow.
4. Discuss the importance of follow-up assessments post-reaction.
It is important to do a follow-up assessment post-reaction because of the risk for a “rebound” or delayed reaction 4-10 hours after the initial allergic reaction. If the patient had a sever reaction, he should be monitored 12-14 hours in a facility that can provide emergency…show more content… Reflect on how you would communicate with family members in an emergency situation if they were present at the bedside.
I would explain to them that the patient is having an allergic reaction to the medication and as the procedures are being done explain to them how the medications are going to help stabilize the patient.
7. What key elements would you include in the handoff report for this patient? Consider the SBAR (situation, background, assessment, recommendation) format. Discuss the relevance of communicating the identified key elements of the patient’s care as it pertains to patient safety and continuity of care.
A concise statement of the problem (patient being monitored after an allergic attack to the antibiotic).
Pertinent and brief information related to the situation ( patient was given 0.5mg of epinephrine1:1000IV, 50 mg dose of diphenhydramine, 5 mg of albuterol in a nebulizer, started infusion of ranitidine, and 125mg of methylprednisolone were given per orders, being monitored on ECG)
Analysis and considerations of options ( Patient is Tachycardic but we must balance the risk of tachycardia agasint the benefit of bronchodilation)
Action requested/recommended ( keep monitoring patient for rebound or delayed
