A nurse is preparing a patient for allergy skin testing. Which of the following precautionary steps is most important for the nurse to follow?
- A. The patient must not have received an immunization within 7 days.
- B. The nurse should administer albuterol 30 to 45 minutes prior to the test.
- C. Prophylactic epinephrine should be administered before the test.
- D. Emergency equipment should be readily available.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Emergency equipment must be readily available during testing to treat anaphylaxis. Immunizations do not contraindicate testing. Neither epinephrine nor albuterol is given prior to testing.
You may also like to solve these questions
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.
The nurse in an allergy clinic is educating a new patient about the pathology of the patients health problem. What response should the nurse describe as a possible consequence of histamine release?
- A. Constriction of small venules
- B. Contraction of bronchial smooth muscle
- C. Dilation of large blood vessels
- D. Decreased secretions from gastric and mucosal cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Histamines effects during the immune response include contraction of bronchial smooth muscle, resulting in wheezing and bronchospasm, dilation of small venules, constriction of large blood vessels, and an increase in secretion of gastric and mucosal cells.
Which of the following individuals would be the most appropriate candidate for immunotherapy?
- A. A patient who had an anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting
- B. A child with allergies to eggs and dairy
- C. A patient who has had a positive tuberculin skin test
- D. A patient with severe allergies to grass and tree pollen
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The benefit of immunotherapy has been fairly well established in instances of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma that are clearly due to sensitivity to one of the common pollens, molds, or household dust. Immunotherapy is not used to treat type I hypersensitivities. A positive tuberculin skin test is not an indication for immunotherapy.
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.
Nokea