First Aid Management: Asthma & Anaphylaxis

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with anaphylaxis?

Rash

Facial swelling

Severe headache (correct)

Cough

What type of shock is caused by increased fluid leakage due to an immune response during anaphylaxis?

Distributive shock

Hypovolemic shock (correct)

Cardiogenic shock

Obstructive shock

Which symptom indicates altered mental state in a patient experiencing shock?

Cold sweat

Increased heart rate

Nausea

Agitation (correct)

What is the primary method for preventing anaphylaxis in individuals with known triggers?

Avoid known triggers Signup and view all the answers

Which situation may lead to an unknown trigger for an individual prone to anaphylaxis?

Exposure to new medications Signup and view all the answers

What is a common food trigger for anaphylaxis?

Peanuts Signup and view all the answers

Which sign is characteristic of hypovolemic shock during anaphylaxis?

Pale, cool skin Signup and view all the answers

What role do Adult Cadet Staff (ACS) play if a cadet has anaphylaxis?

They will inform PLT CDT Staff Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common trigger for asthma?

Excessive hydration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of preventer medication for asthma?

To prevent an asthma attack from occurring Signup and view all the answers

In an asthma emergency, how many puffs should be given at a time following the 4 x 4 x 4 rule?

4 puffs Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom indicates a severe asthma attack?

Confusion Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a bronchodilator in asthma treatment?

To relax smooth muscles in the airway Signup and view all the answers

In the case of anaphylaxis, what type of reaction is primarily involved?

Type I hypersensitivity reaction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about asthma presentations is true?

Cyanosis is a sign of a severe asthma attack. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a cadet in distress is known to have triggers for asthma?

Notify the PLT staff about their known triggers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

First Aid 1: Management and Prevention of High Acuity Presentations

Course: SGSCC JNCOS Course
Topic: Asthma and Anaphylaxis management and prevention.

Learning Objectives

Understand the management and prevention of Asthma
Understand the management and prevention of Anaphylaxis

Asthma

How asthma affects the lungs:
- Asthma causes the smooth muscles in the airways to tighten, inflame, swell and produce extra mucus.
- This makes breathing difficult.
- Diagrams of the airways and lungs show the affected areas.

Asthma Presentations: Signs and Symptoms

General: Difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, anxiety.
- Patients may know they are having an attack.
Severe: Confusion, drowsiness, cyanosis, difficulty speaking in single words.

Asthma Prevention

Common Triggers: Exercise, respiratory infection, air particles (pollen, smoke, dust), sudden weather changes, anxiety/emotional stress.
Triggers Unknown: If triggers are unknown, inform PLT staff.
Medication: Cadets may need to regularly take "preventer" medication.

Asthma Preventer Medication

Responsibility: SGS staff are responsible for cadets taking their prescription medication.
Not JNCO's responsibility: JNCOs should not take responsibility for medication -This information is for reference only.
Purpose: Used to prevent asthma attacks, not to treat ongoing attacks.
Variety: Many types, colors, and designs of preventer medications are available.

Asthma Treatment

Reliever Medication (bronchodilator): Used to quickly relax airway muscles.
Spacer: If available, always use a spacer with reliever medication to improve effectiveness.
Procedure (4 x 4 x 4): Give 4 puffs, wait 4 minutes, give 4 more puffs, and wait 4 more minutes. This procedure should be repeated as needed.
Call for Help: Call 000 for medical assistance if symptoms worsen or do not improve.

Anaphylaxis

Definition: A life-threatening systemic response to an allergen involving multiple body systems. -This is not a simple skin reaction. A severe systemic hypersensitivity reaction.

Anaphylaxis Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms: Respiratory distress (coughing, wheezing, stridor, difficulty breathing), abdominal symptoms (nausea, vomiting), skin/mucosal symptoms (hives, welts, itching, facial swelling), hypotension/shock.

Anaphylaxis Prevention

Triggers: Identify and limit exposure to common triggers like food (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame seeds), insect stings, latex, and medications (new ones are a good example).

Anaphylaxis Prevention (Cadet-Specific)

Inform Staff: PLT CDT Staff to be informed if cadet has anaphylaxis.
Dietary Restrictions: Anaphylactic cadets have Special Dietary Requirements (SDR). Their rations are managed by the Food Management Officer (FMO).
Risk from Fellow Cadets: Food brought by fellow cadets poses the biggest risk.

Anaphylaxis Treatment

Call for Help: Call CASEVAC (000) for immediate help.
Lying Flat: Lie the person flat; do not allow them to stand or walk.
Adrenaline Auto-injector (EpiPen): Administer adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) intramuscularly to the outer mid-thigh.
Follow-up: If no response after 5 minutes, repeat adrenaline injection.

Adrenaline and its Effects

Purpose: Reverses allergic reaction effects.
Effects: Increases blood pressure, tightens blood vessels, reduces fluid leakage, improves breathing, and opens airways.

Adrenaline Auto-Injector specifics

Different brands are available, containing 500mcg (Anapen), 300mcg (EpiPen), or 150mcg (EpiPen Junior) of adrenaline.
Specific instructions are available on how to use each type of auto injector (Anapen and EpiPen).

Summary of Adrenaline Auto-Injector

Anapen: White end on leg, press thumb on red button.
EpiPen: Blue end to the sky, orange end to the thigh.

Anaphylaxis Key Points

Cause: Life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction.
Presentation: R.A.S.H. Symptoms
Prevention: Identifying possible triggers and avoiding them.
Treatment: Use adrenaline auto-injector.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz focuses on the management and prevention of asthma and anaphylaxis as part of the SGSCC JNCOS Course. You will learn about the impact of asthma on lungs, recognize signs and symptoms, and identify common triggers. Test your knowledge on effective prevention strategies for high acuity presentations.