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A child has been diagnosed with a severe walnut allergy after suffering an anaphylactic reaction. What is a priority for health education?
- A. The need to begin immunotherapy as soon as possible
- B. The need for the parents to carry an epinephrine pen
- C. The need to vigilantly maintain the childs immunization status
- D. The need for the child to avoid all foods that have a high potential for allergies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: All patients with food allergies, especially seafood and nuts, should have an EpiPen device prescribed. The child does not necessarily need to avoid all common food allergens. Immunotherapy is not indicated in the treatment of childhood food allergies. Immunizations are important, but do not address food allergies.
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A nurse has asked the nurse educator if there is any way to predict the severity of a patients anaphylactic reaction. What would be the nurses best response?
- A. The faster the onset of symptoms, the more severe the reaction.
- B. The reaction will be about one-third more severe than the patients last reaction to the same antigen.
- C. There is no way to gauge the severity of a patients anaphylaxis, even if it has occurred repeatedly in the past.
- D. The reaction will generally be slightly less severe than the last reaction to the same antigen.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The time from exposure to the antigen to onset of symptoms is a good indicator of the severity of the reaction: the faster the onset, the more severe the reaction. None of the other statements is an accurate description of the course of anaphylactic reactions.
A school nurse is caring for a child who appears to be having an allergic response. What should be the initial action of the school nurse?
- A. Assess for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.
- B. Assess for erythema and urticaria.
- C. Administer an OTC antihistamine.
- D. Administer epinephrine.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If a patient is experiencing an allergic response, the nurses initial action is to assess the patient for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Erythema and urticaria may be present, but these are not the most significant or most common signs of anaphylaxis. Assessment must precede interventions, such as administering an antihistamine. Epinephrine is indicated in the treatment of anaphylaxis, not for every allergic reaction.
A patient with multiple food and environmental allergies tells the nurse that he is frustrated and angry about having to be so watchful all the time and wonders if it is really worth it. What would be the nurses best response?
- A. I can only imagine how you feel. Would you like to talk about it?
- B. Lets find a quiet spot and Ill teach you a few coping strategies.
- C. Thats the same way that most patients who have a chronic illness feel.
- D. Do you think that maybe you could be managing things more efficiently?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To assist the patient in adjusting to these modifications, the nurse must have an appreciation of the difficulties encountered by the patient. The patient is encouraged to verbalize feelings and concerns in a supportive environment and to identify strategies to deal with them effectively. The nurse should not suggest that the patient has been mismanaging his health problem and the nurse should not make comparisons with other patients. Further assessment should precede educational interventions.
An adolescent patients history of skin hyperreactivity and inflammation has been attributed to atopic dermatitis. The nurse should recognize that this patient consequently faces an increased risk of what health problem?
- A. Bronchitis
- B. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- C. Rheumatoid arthritis
- D. Asthma
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nurses should be aware that atopic dermatitis is often the first step in a process that leads to asthma and allergic rhinitis. It is not linked as closely to bronchitis, SLE, and RA.
After the completion of testing, a childs allergies have been attributed to her familys cat. When introducing the family to the principles of avoidance therapy, the nurse should promote what action?
- A. Removing the cat from the familys home
- B. Administering OTC antihistamines to the child regularly
- C. Keeping the cat restricted from the childs bedroom
- D. Maximizing airflow in the house
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In avoidance therapy, every attempt is made to remove the allergens that act as precipitating factors. Fully removing the cat from the environment is preferable to just keeping the cat out of the childs bedroom. Avoidance therapy does not involve improving airflow or using antihistamines.