Gave epi today

[SassyTachyRN]

Today I gave my first epi pen, ever. Anaphylaxis to fish nuggets. I'm still a little shook up. The child is ok though and that's all I can ask for! I pray I don't have to give another one all year, please!!!!!

[stephaniehowe]

Thought yesterday would have been my first time too. My peanut girl comes in eating a Reese's! Same girl who was touched by a kid who had a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. It was only a mild topical reaction which was aggravated by her itching it like crazy(also a frequent flyer over the smallest things). It is listed on paperwork she is allergic to "peanuts" and regardless allergies are not something I take lightly. No Epi RX but we have emergency stock if I needed. Since this incident from lunch I have Benadryl PRN for her and apparently this child was given Benadryl yesterday morning before school because Reese's are her fav and with it being Halloween it was ok for her to have. I nearly had a heart attack when she came into my office and administered PRN Benadryl, tried to get ahold of mom to ask her what was going on. Mom returned call a hour later stating she is only allergic to Raw Peanuts and Reese's is ok, never heard of that one?! I had to leave work early because my youngest had to have an emergent ENT appointment so I retaught my staff on how to use the Epi, and told them if she came back in having problems give it to her and call 911 first then call Mom later!

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

Sounds like mom might not have a good realization of what a peanut allergy entails. Each exposure intensifies. Mom needs some good allergy teaching.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

Glad it all turned out ok (for both posters above)!

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

in 20 years of school nursing I have given epi 2x, both were faculty members......

[Tina, RN]

I have never given an epi-pen, and this is my 3rd year as a school nurse. *knock on wood* I have read the s/s of anaphylaxis a million times, trying to prepare myself. But it isn't the same as actually encountering it.

Just wondering: Can anyone who has given an epi-pen tell us about it? I mean the actual, real-life version instead of the standard written info we all have?

[mc3, ASN, RN]

Actually, it's quite easy. Have someone call 911, then the parent. Hold the pen in your fist. Pull the blue safety cap off. Then just swing it in fast and hard into the side of the upper thigh; it goes through clothing. (It gives you a demonstration picture on the pen itself). Make sure to massage the area for 10 seconds after you're done. The actual needle will recede into the injector when you pull it out. The hardest part for me was making sure the child was still enough for me to inject it; I had someone hold my student in their lap with a "hug". I don't know about your school, but thankfully it seems our fire dept comes lickety-split when we call! Make sure the used Epipen goes with the child to the hospital.

mc3

[Tina, RN]

Actually, it's quite easy. Have someone call 911, then the parent. Hold the pen in your fist. Pull the blue safety cap off. Then just swing it in fast and hard into the side of the upper thigh; it goes through clothing. (It gives you a demonstration picture on the pen itself). Make sure to massage the area for 10 seconds after you're done. The actual needle will recede into the injector when you pull it out. The hardest part for me was making sure the child was still enough for me to inject it; I had someone hold my student in their lap with a "hug". I don't know about your school, but thankfully it seems our fire dept comes lickety-split when we call! Make sure the used Epipen goes with the child to the hospital.

mc3

Thanks for this! I have also read that a reaction can go from bad to worse quickly. I have had allergic reactions, where I have given benadryl. Never progressed to the epi, though. Is it glaringly obvious when to give the epi? Naturally, when airway/breathing is compromised it would be given... Any other tidbits??

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Ive never given it. However, my mom gave it to a kid in the neighborhood before, His mother was too scsred so my mother who was a nurseing student at the time gave it in our living room without hesitation. She rocked that day

[RNlove17]

I've never given one either and get nervous thinking I might not recognize anaphalaxis (i've never seen that in person either!)