Week 9 Flashcards
What are some things that can cause an allergic reaction?
Food chemicals, environment, insect sting
What are some local systems of an allergic reaction?
Itching, swelling, nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhoea
What are some systemic symptoms of an allergic reaction?
Airway swelling, hives, hypotension and arrhythmias
How do antihistamines work?
They prevent the effects of histamine and stops vasodilation, inflammation and contract the smooth muscle of the lungs and heart
What are some considerations for people taking older seating antihistamines?
Risk of falls in older people, don’t give to children, safe in pregnant people and avoid for people with GI obstruction
What are some considerations for people taking newer, less sedating antihistamines?
Good for old people, good for children above 6 months, and pregnancy and bad for people with impaired liver and kidneys
What is the mechanism of action for corticosteroids?
They reduce mucus production, cause nasal vasoconstriction and decrease the capillary permeability
How do decongestants work?
They block the alpha adrenoceptors in the respiratory tract vascular smooth muscle
What are the considerations for decongestants?
They are more likely to cause CVD in the elderly, not for children below 6 years, avoid in pregnancy, and not to be given to people who have taken MAOI within last 14 days
What is anaphylaxis?
A severe acute allergic response
What is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
Adrenaline IM
What is involved in the further management of anaphylaxis?
IV fluids, Beta 2 agonists, glucagon, corticosteroids
What is a paradoxical reaction?
It is when a person has a reaction which is different then the expected one
