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 ED, School Nurse.

In my case, the student presented with hives after eating some food. The only known allergy she had at the time was to antibiotics. I feel comfortable with my decision to start with Benadryl for this particular student as she was not exhibiting any other symptoms besides hives at that point. As soon as she said "I feel short of breath, I feel like there is a bubble in my chest." I grabbed the epi and gave it to her. I was thinking to myself *as soon as one more system is involved in her complaint, I'm giving the epi*. So I did.

If this had been an exposure or suspected exposure to a known allery, I would have given the epi right off.

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In my case, the student presented with hives after eating some food. The only known allergy she had at the time was to antibiotics. I feel comfortable with my decision to start with Benadryl for this particular student as she was not exhibiting any other symptoms besides hives at that point. As soon as she said "I feel short of breath, I feel like there is a bubble in my chest." I grabbed the epi and gave it to her. I was thinking to myself *as soon as one more system is involved in her complaint, I'm giving the epi*. So I did.

If this had been an exposure or suspected exposure to a known allery, I would have given the epi right off.

Any update? Did they figure out what the allergen was?

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

No update. It will be while before they get in and get the allergy testing done. (I know this from personal experience). She has an Epi-pen at school now.

They suspect that it may be a nut allergy. But that is just speculation from the ER doc and mom.

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Specializes in School nursing.

Bumping this thread up after giving another Epi-pen in school today. And given that my co-worker that I typically decompress with is no longer here and my boss is on maternity leave, I'm decompressing with you all, because you're the best.

Student with known peanut allergy. Another student ate a protein bar next to her at lunch with peanut butter in it (despite we are a peanut/tree nut free school, but alas). Student's lips start tingling after lunch. Benadryl dosing per her allergy plan. Then 20 minutes later, add in throat itchiness and reported SOB. I'm on that Epi-pen. 911 called. Transport. Yada, yada. Confident with my choice and treatment, but it was the first time the student had used their Epi-pen, so they were shaken up as was their parent.

And you know what? Once the adrenaline wears off, I am also left shaken up. It doesn't get easier - well, maybe the choice at the time gets easier, but the jitters after the dust settles like I was just given epi doesn't.

So folks, like I said rambling to decompress with the folks I know understand.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

You are only human, dealing with a life-or-death situation, of course you are going to feel a little shaken. Take your time to deal with your feelings and thank God you are there to provide care for your students.

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

Good job, Jen!!

It is hard to decompress after an emergency situation, especially as a school nurse since most of us work as the only health care provider in our building. I know in my building no one understands the assessment, decision making process, and responsibility I have to my students to keep them safe and ALIVE (as we all do)!!

My student was an epi-pen virgin too. Apparently it leaves quite the sore spot and bruise.

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Specializes in kids.
Bumping this thread up after giving another Epi-pen in school today. And given that my co-worker that I typically decompress with is no longer here and my boss is on maternity leave, I'm decompressing with you all, because you're the best.

Student with known peanut allergy. Another student ate a protein bar next to her at lunch with peanut butter in it (despite we are a peanut/tree nut free school, but alas). Student's lips start tingling after lunch. Benadryl dosing per her allergy plan. Then 20 minutes later, add in throat itchiness and reported SOB. I'm on that Epi-pen. 911 called. Transport. Yada, yada. Confident with my choice and treatment, but it was the first time the student had used their Epi-pen, so they were shaken up as was their parent.

And you know what? Once the adrenaline wears off, I am also left shaken up. It doesn't get easier - well, maybe the choice at the time gets easier, but the jitters after the dust settles like I was just given epi doesn't.

So folks, like I said rambling to decompress with the folks I know understand.

Well done!!

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I thought I was going have to give 2 epi-pen injections yesterday. We have an annual fundraiser at lunch which the girls participating in the activity sell food. Well, here in our area craw-fish is a big deal. We have craw-fish this, craw-fish that and the biggest of all boiled craw-fish. After first lunch, I have a LD come in and say "I am having an allergic reaction." Airway issues none the less. As I am assessing LD #1, LD #2 comes in with the same issue!!!! Both LD's knowing they are allergic to shellfish and sat with people eating the craw-fish. LD #1 even peeled one for her friend!!! Neither were in acute distress and could breath well enough to hold very lively conversations with each other. Having standing orders for both Benedryl and Epi-Pen I grab both. I treated both with Benedryl and call parents to pick up. Benedryl kicked in and both stated the s/s were getting better. By the time parents came to pick up LD's, the only complaint they had was being tired.

Thank God for standing orders!

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Specializes in School nursing.
I thought I was going have to give 2 epi-pen injections yesterday. We have an annual fundraiser at lunch which the girls participating in the activity sell food. Well, here in our area craw-fish is a big deal. We have craw-fish this, craw-fish that and the biggest of all boiled craw-fish. After first lunch, I have a LD come in and say "I am having an allergic reaction." Airway issues none the less. As I am assessing LD #1, LD #2 comes in with the same issue!!!! Both LD's knowing they are allergic to shellfish and sat with people eating the craw-fish. LD #1 even peeled one for her friend!!! Neither were in acute distress and could breath well enough to hold very lively conversations with each other. Having standing orders for both Benedryl and Epi-Pen I grab both. I treated both with Benedryl and call parents to pick up. Benedryl kicked in and both stated the s/s were getting better. By the time parents came to pick up LD's, the only complaint they had was being tired.

Thank God for standing orders!

Yes, indeed! But why don't these LD's have their own Epi-pens? Ugh, parents! ("But they have never had a serious reaction...")

And I do not have standing Epi right now. Should next month after the paperwork comes through! I'm lucky my last kiddo had a known allergy with Epi-pen orders and two Epi-pens on hand at school!

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Yes, indeed! But why don't these LD's have their own Epi-pens? Ugh, parents! ("But they have never had a serious reaction...")

And I do not have standing Epi right now. Should next month after the paperwork comes through! I'm lucky my last kiddo had a known allergy with Epi-pen orders and two Epi-pens on hand at school!

LD #2 had his stolen out of his backpack and he has not replaced it yet. LD #1 does not have one. Gave both of them coupons for free epi-pens we rec'd earlier this year for extra's.

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Another student ate a protein bar next to her at lunch with peanut butter in it (despite we are a peanut/tree nut free school, but alas). Student's lips start tingling after lunch. Benadryl dosing per her allergy plan.

She didn't even ingest it and had that kind of reaction? That's scary!

This concerns me, because we are NOT a nut free school, and many of my nut allergic children have MD permission to sit at regular cafe tables with kids eating PB, etc.

You do have to wonder what happened...Like did a crumb from the bar contaminate the allergic child's food..?

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Specializes in School Nurse.
She didn't even ingest it and had that kind of reaction? That's scary!

This concerns me, because we are NOT a nut free school, and many of my nut allergic children have MD permission to sit at regular cafe tables with kids eating PB, etc.

You do have to wonder what happened...Like did a crumb from the bar contaminate the allergic child's food..?

I had a teacher who was eating nuts in the classroom at her desk. Said teacher passed out papers to the students that she likely contaminated with nut "dust". Allergic student touches paper and touches face. Allergic student experiences a reaction. Luckily, only a minor reaction, but a reaction nonetheless. *SIGH* Don't teachers read the Emergency Care Plans that I distribute at the beginning of the year?

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