With the use of drugs such as high dose morphine, particularly in terminal care patients, there is an increased risk of cardiopulmonary arrest occurring outside the hospital environmnment. This raises several issues including decisions on whether a patient is for resuscitation or not. This requires discussion between the GP, McMillan nurses and the parents. Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is an acute hypersensitivity reaction to foreign proteins. Usually drugs, food or insect stings.
Symptoms range from mild erythema to severe life threatening anaphylactic shock.
The incidence of anaphylaxis is unknown but there are an increasing number of anaphylactic reactions to food particularly nuts. The general management of anaphylaxis consists of allergen avoidance, if possible, supported by drug management. Adrenaline and antihistamines are the mainstays of drug treatment. There is considerable debate over who to provide adrenaline for. Patients who may require adrenaline at home includes those at risk of life threatening a naphylaxis and those on home IV therapy.