Gave my first epi-pen yesterday...

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Student ate a granola bar and a bag of flavored chips. Then she broke out in hives. I gave her Benadryl. Then the hives got worse. No other symptoms. I gave her more Benadryl and called mom to come get her. As mom was on her way, student started c/o shortness of breath. "I feel like there's a bubble in my chest." Epi-pen given. Called 911. Called mom again so she would know what happened and so she wouldn't panic when she saw the ambulances in the parking lot.

I worked in the ER, so I have treated many allergic reactions, but I have never actually used an Epi-pen before. I guess I can check that one off my bucket list (?!?) now.

Specializes in School Nurse, professor, OBGYN.

Was it her personal epi pen, or do ya'll keep them on stock?

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So glad you shared this. Great job!!!

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Was it her personal epi pen, or do ya'll keep them on stock?

I assumed it was stock epi since she said the only known allergies were to antibiotics. Do you have Benadryl stock also?

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Woo hoo! Awesome!

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.
Was it her personal epi pen, or do ya'll keep them on stock?

We have stock epi-pens and stock Benadryl with standing orders from our school physician to administer epi/Benadryl per assessment.

The student will have her own epi-pen now, though!!!

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

So thankful that you shared this with us. I have never given an epi pen before, but almost had to watch my brother in law die before my eyes as my sister drive like a bat to get to the ER. He was previously undiagnosed. Still not sure what he reacted to. WOW. it was beyond scary. Good work. We are so proud of you!! Thank you.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Mom said the ER physician was impressed with how quickly I made the decision to epi the student. She said the doc said most people wait too long to make the decision to epi, and I actually teach that when I do Epi-pen training. Now I have a real life example to cite!!!

Yeah!! Pain>death!

(Edited from "never be afraid to stab a kid with a needle". Im having trouble being appropriate this morning. At least it was a step up.)

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Specializes in School Nursing, Telemetry.

Good job!!! So glad that the student had you there for her when she needed you!

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Great job! I'm so glad you stock epi. I personally think it should be part of every first aid kit. I am very glad I had one at home when my son had a severe anaphlyactic reaction to pine nuts last month. He made it to age 23 without any known food allergies, but his first taste of pesto will be his last.

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YAY! Great job!

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Great Job! We have stock Epi as well. But only a nurse can give the stock epi to a student or staff member

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Awesome job!! When in doubt go for the EpiPen.

I gave my first one in December (I just reach my 2 year anniversary in school nursing).

It was a staff member (a young one!) who presented with hives. It looked like she had burns all over her body. Same scenario. We tried Benadryl. She came back 15 minutes later c/o SOB. I pulled the stock EpiPen and that was it. Epipen, 911, ER.

For anyone who got stock EpiPens through epipens4schools.com -- they replaced mine for free!

And the following week a dad came in to complain about my insistence that his kid have his Epipen available in school since all I actually do is babysit bellyaches. He told me could be a school nurse. :sarcastic:

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