EMS 270 Lesson B Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

EMS 270 Lesson B

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Lesson B Overview

• Bites and Stings
• Anaphylaxis
• Angioedema

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Bites & Stings

• Venom issue
• Some only local to the site
• Some systemic
• Anaphylaxis risk potential

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Bite / Sting Care

• Remove stinger or tentacles by scraping
• Standard wound care
• Ice is good
• No tourniquets
• Jellyfish specific—use vinegar then shower

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Anaphylaxis

• Can include upper airway swelling
• Stridor or difficulty swallowing
• Racemic epinephrine shrinks swollen tissue
• Can include lower airway (wheezing)
• Can include distributive shock
• Epi breaks the reaction chain—and treats the

symptoms (massive histamine release)

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Angioedema

• NOT an anaphylactic reaction but can occur

alongside anaphylaxis.

• Can be very dramatic in appearance
• Can be life threatening if upper airway obstructs

(assess for stridor)

• Usually self-limiting and resolves without treatment
• Treat anaphylaxis with Epi—whether or not

angioedema is also present

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Beta Blockers

• Beta blockers are prescribed to treat tachy

dysrhythmia or hypertension. Therefore, some patients who are experiencing an anaphylactic reaction will be taking beta blockers.

• Glucagon will reverse the beta blockade and

allow epinephrine to work as anticipated.

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

EMS 270 LAB B Prep

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Lesson B Main Points

• Bites and Stings are typically painful but not a

big deal unless they cause anaphylaxis. Scrape the stinger off, use ice and general wound care.

• Anaphylaxis is best treated with Epi to break the

chain reaction and to treat the symptoms.

• Angioedema is usually no big deal on its own but

commonly occurs with anaphylaxis.

• Airway obstruction from swelling is the killer.

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Scenario 1

• 16 F comes into contact with a known allergen
• Hives, itching, wheezing, trouble swallowing,

throat tightness, weak and dizzy

• Has Epi-Pen (left at home); no other meds

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Scenario 2

• 66 F has sudden, severe swelling of lips and

tongue

• No hives, no itching, no wheezing, no trouble

swallowing, no throat tightness, anxious

• NKA
• Meds: lisinopril, HCTZ, ASA

Boone County Fire Protec/on District EMS Educa/on

Scenario 3

• 66 F has sudden, severe swelling of lips and

tongue

• Some hives, mild itching, no wheezing, has

trouble swallowing, has throat tightness, anxious

• NKA
• Meds: captopril, metoprolol, HCTZ, ASA