ALLERGIC REACTIONS: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A child has been transported to the emergency department (ED) after a severe allergic reaction.
The ED nurse is evaluating the patient’s respiratory status. How should the nurse evaluate the
patient’s respiratory status? Select all that apply.
76% Correct (b, c, d, e)
a) Facilitate lung function testing
b) Assess breath sounds
c) Measure the child’s oxygen saturation by oximeter
d) Measure the child’s respiratory pattern
e) Assess the child’s respiratory rate
Reference:
Hinkle, J.L., and Cheever, K.H. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13 th ed.,
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2014, Chapter 38: Assessment and Management of
Patients With Allergic Disorders, p.1044.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: 3. Application
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care, Physiological Integrity: Basic Care
and Comfort
2. A nurse is reviewing the dietary history of a client who has experienced anaphylaxis. Which one
of the following would the nurse identify as a common cause of anaphylaxis? Select all that
apply.
Correct (a, b, c)
a) Milk
b) Eggs
c) Shrimp
d) Beef
e) Chicken
Reference:
Hinkle, J.L., and Cheever, K.H. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13 th ed.,
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2014, Chapter 38: Assessment and Management of
Patients With Allergic Disorders, p.1037.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: 4. Analysis
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
1
, 3. According to nursing research by Campbell et.al., about 65% of patients identified with
anaphylaxis who were seen in the emergency department were discharged to home. Of those
65%, one-third were prescribed self-injectable epinephrine. Patient teaching for use of an
EpiPen must be included with discharge instructions. Select all the teaching points that apply.
Correct (a, b, c)
a) Grasp the EpiPen with black tip pointing downward
b) Form a fist around the unit
c) Hold back tip near outer thigh
d) Jab firmly at a 45-degree angle to get maximum penetration
e) Hold for 5 seconds and massage injection area for 5 seconds
f) Call 911 before injecting epinephrine
Explanation: Insert at a 90-degree angle and hold firmly for 10 seconds. Massage thigh for 10 seconds.
Reference:
Hinkle, J.L., and Cheever, K.H. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13 th ed.,
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2014, Chapter 38: Assessment and Management of
Patients With Allergic Disorders, p.1039.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: 3. Application
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. The nurse is conducting discharge teaching for a patient who is being discharged from the ER
after an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching? Select all that apply.
Correct (c, d)
a) Use of sedatives to treat reactions
b) Desensitization to allergen
c) Wearing medical alert bracelet
d) Avoiding allergens
Reference:
Hinkle, J.L., and Cheever, K.H. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13 th ed.,
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2014, Chapter 38: Assessment and Management of
Patients With Allergic Disorders, p.1037.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: 3. Application
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity, Basic Care and Comfort, Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk
Potential
2
1. A child has been transported to the emergency department (ED) after a severe allergic reaction.
The ED nurse is evaluating the patient’s respiratory status. How should the nurse evaluate the
patient’s respiratory status? Select all that apply.
76% Correct (b, c, d, e)
a) Facilitate lung function testing
b) Assess breath sounds
c) Measure the child’s oxygen saturation by oximeter
d) Measure the child’s respiratory pattern
e) Assess the child’s respiratory rate
Reference:
Hinkle, J.L., and Cheever, K.H. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13 th ed.,
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2014, Chapter 38: Assessment and Management of
Patients With Allergic Disorders, p.1044.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: 3. Application
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care, Physiological Integrity: Basic Care
and Comfort
2. A nurse is reviewing the dietary history of a client who has experienced anaphylaxis. Which one
of the following would the nurse identify as a common cause of anaphylaxis? Select all that
apply.
Correct (a, b, c)
a) Milk
b) Eggs
c) Shrimp
d) Beef
e) Chicken
Reference:
Hinkle, J.L., and Cheever, K.H. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13 th ed.,
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2014, Chapter 38: Assessment and Management of
Patients With Allergic Disorders, p.1037.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: 4. Analysis
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
1
, 3. According to nursing research by Campbell et.al., about 65% of patients identified with
anaphylaxis who were seen in the emergency department were discharged to home. Of those
65%, one-third were prescribed self-injectable epinephrine. Patient teaching for use of an
EpiPen must be included with discharge instructions. Select all the teaching points that apply.
Correct (a, b, c)
a) Grasp the EpiPen with black tip pointing downward
b) Form a fist around the unit
c) Hold back tip near outer thigh
d) Jab firmly at a 45-degree angle to get maximum penetration
e) Hold for 5 seconds and massage injection area for 5 seconds
f) Call 911 before injecting epinephrine
Explanation: Insert at a 90-degree angle and hold firmly for 10 seconds. Massage thigh for 10 seconds.
Reference:
Hinkle, J.L., and Cheever, K.H. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13 th ed.,
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2014, Chapter 38: Assessment and Management of
Patients With Allergic Disorders, p.1039.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: 3. Application
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. The nurse is conducting discharge teaching for a patient who is being discharged from the ER
after an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching? Select all that apply.
Correct (c, d)
a) Use of sedatives to treat reactions
b) Desensitization to allergen
c) Wearing medical alert bracelet
d) Avoiding allergens
Reference:
Hinkle, J.L., and Cheever, K.H. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13 th ed.,
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2014, Chapter 38: Assessment and Management of
Patients With Allergic Disorders, p.1037.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: 3. Application
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity, Basic Care and Comfort, Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk
Potential
2
