All Emergencies - Basic life support principles:

1. Maintain an airway
2. Assess breathing
3. Monitor circulation

Localized:
Signs & Symptoms: Swelling of lips, periorbital area bilaterally

1. Patient may be agitated, complain of breathing difficulty, tight chest, but no wheezing, stridor or urticaria evident.
2. Administer 0.4ml epinephrine 1:1000.
3. Administer Oxygen via mask.
4. If patient returns to pre-treatment status:
• Observe patient for 1 hour, then dismiss.
• Rx: Benadryl 50mg q6h for 2 days.

Generalized:
Signs & Symptoms: Involve Cardio-vascular system (CVS) or respiratory

1. Activate EMS stat.
2. Basic life support, prn
3. Epinephrine 1:1000: 0.3mg (adult) parenterally (IM or IV) q5m
   • IM in thigh through clothing is readily accessible.
   • If necessary - Cricothyrotomy.
4. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) antihistamine 1ml parenterally (adult) upon recovery
5. Aminophylline may be administered for bronchospasm

 

Recovery:

• Respiratory signs & symptoms resolve
• Cardiovascular signs & symptoms resolve: b.p. rises, heart rate remains rapid