EMT Optional Skills Training Course
Module 5: Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions
Introduction
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions
For EMTs, rapid recognition and immediate treatment of anaphylaxis are critical. Epinephrine is the most important medication in reversing the life-threatening effects of anaphylaxis, and timely administration can be lifesaving. Adding another option to deliver epinephrine besides auto-injector gives you options to better treat patients. You must be able to assess, manage, and provide rapid transport for patients experiencing allergic or anaphylactic emergencies.
Module Content
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Objectives
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions: Assessment & Treatment
Objectives
OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
Recognize the patient experiencing anaphylaxis or allergic reaction
Describe the emergency medical care of the patient experiencing anaphylaxis or allergic reaction
Describe airway management for allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
State the generic and trade names, medication forms, dose, administration, action, and contraindications for the epinephrine
Differentiate between allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
Explain the rationale for administering epinephrine by syringe
module Topics
MODULE Topics
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Assessment & Treatment
Learn the components of an EMS report and proper documentation.
Examine the legal aspects of providing EMS care in the field.
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Allergic reactions occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to a substance it mistakenly identifies as harmful, known as an allergen. Common allergens include foods, insect stings, medications, and environmental triggers like pollen or latex. While many allergic reactions are mild and limited to skin symptoms such as itching or hives, some progress to a severe, life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis involves widespread involvement of multiple body systems — particularly the respiratory, cardiovascular, and circulatory systems. It can cause airway swelling, bronchoconstriction, low blood pressure, and shock within minutes.
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Case Study
Watch the case study discussion video and think about how you can apply what they discuss to your clinical practice. Then answer the question below. Note: Your response will be reviewed.
Question
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Review terms
Flip the cards to review terms related to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
An allergic reaction is an abnormal immune response the body produces in response to an allergen.
Anaphylaxis is an extreme systemic response to an allergen involving two or more body systems.
Allergen
Antigen
Title
Antibody
Allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis
An allergen is a substance that triggers allergic symptoms in people.
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
An antigen is a chemical marker that identifies cells.
An antibody is a protein in the body that creates a response to an antigen.
Subtitle
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Select the common allergens that may cause an allergic reaction in this room. (Hint: there are 4 in this room)
assessment & treatment
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions: Assessment & Treatment
Rapid recognition and immediate treatment are critical. Epinephrine is the most important medication in reversing the life-threatening effects of anaphylaxis, and timely administration can be lifesaving. You must be able to assess, manage, and provide rapid transport for patients experiencing allergic or anaphylactic emergencies.
assessment & treatment
Assessment & Treatment of Anaphylaxis
Watch the video to review the assessment and treatment anaphylaxis in Santa Barbara County.
assessment & treatment
Patient Scenario
Watch the video, then, answer the question
Question
Video Credit: BBC
assessment & treatment
assessment & treatment
assessment & treatment
This patient weighs 40 kg
assessment & treatment
Assess the Patient
You arrive on scene at a restaurant for respiratory distress. Watch the video for your initial impression of the patient. Then, answer the question.
Question 1
Video Credit: Channel 4
assessment & treatment
assessment & treatment
assessment & treatment
Scenario
You arrive on scene to find a 6 month old M in respiratory distress. Family tells you the baby ate something off his sister's plate and then started crying and vomiting. Now he is breathing heavily and has swelling to his face and eyes.. Select the stethoscope to listen to lung sounds. Then, select the button below to answer the question.
Question
assessment & treatment
Scenario
assessment & treatment
Scenario
county policies
Module 5 completion and study
review the following policy online or in your workbook
Policy 533-07
Anaphylaxis / Allergic Reaction
Note: you must complete the supplemental anaphylaxis case study in order to complete module 3!
References
MOdule references
Alexander, M., & Belle, R. (2016). Advanced EMT: A clinical reasoning approach (2nd ed.). Pearson Education. Limmer, D., O'Keefe, M., & Dickinson, E. T. (2020). Emergency care (14th ed.). Pearson Education. ResusMonitor. (n.d.). ResusMonitor: Simulation patient vitals monitor [Web application]. Retrieved October 20, 2025, from https://resusmonitor.com/ BBC. (2023, July 8). Baby’s anaphylactic reaction triggers PTSD for student paramedic [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh-jQmuxOvs Channel 4. (2024, February 21). Woman has MYSTERIOUS allergic reaction | 999: On the Case [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/zZIvCqYnVv0
make sure to complete the supplemental anaphylaxis case study in order to complete module 5!
Nuts are one of the most common allergens and many people have very severe reactions to even small amounts.
Correct! Pet dander is a common cause of allergic reactions.
Yes! Insects, especially bees and fire ants may cause anaphylaxis.
Many medications may cause allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis.
EMT-OS Module 5
Ian Sharp
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Transcript
EMT Optional Skills Training Course
Module 5: Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions
Introduction
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions
For EMTs, rapid recognition and immediate treatment of anaphylaxis are critical. Epinephrine is the most important medication in reversing the life-threatening effects of anaphylaxis, and timely administration can be lifesaving. Adding another option to deliver epinephrine besides auto-injector gives you options to better treat patients. You must be able to assess, manage, and provide rapid transport for patients experiencing allergic or anaphylactic emergencies.
Module Content
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Objectives
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions: Assessment & Treatment
Objectives
OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
Recognize the patient experiencing anaphylaxis or allergic reaction
Describe the emergency medical care of the patient experiencing anaphylaxis or allergic reaction
Describe airway management for allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
State the generic and trade names, medication forms, dose, administration, action, and contraindications for the epinephrine
Differentiate between allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
Explain the rationale for administering epinephrine by syringe
module Topics
MODULE Topics
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Assessment & Treatment
Learn the components of an EMS report and proper documentation.
Examine the legal aspects of providing EMS care in the field.
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Allergic reactions occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to a substance it mistakenly identifies as harmful, known as an allergen. Common allergens include foods, insect stings, medications, and environmental triggers like pollen or latex. While many allergic reactions are mild and limited to skin symptoms such as itching or hives, some progress to a severe, life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis involves widespread involvement of multiple body systems — particularly the respiratory, cardiovascular, and circulatory systems. It can cause airway swelling, bronchoconstriction, low blood pressure, and shock within minutes.
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Case Study
Watch the case study discussion video and think about how you can apply what they discuss to your clinical practice. Then answer the question below. Note: Your response will be reviewed.
Question
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Review terms
Flip the cards to review terms related to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
An allergic reaction is an abnormal immune response the body produces in response to an allergen.
Anaphylaxis is an extreme systemic response to an allergen involving two or more body systems.
Allergen
Antigen
Title
Antibody
Allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis
An allergen is a substance that triggers allergic symptoms in people.
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
An antigen is a chemical marker that identifies cells.
An antibody is a protein in the body that creates a response to an antigen.
Subtitle
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions Review
Select the common allergens that may cause an allergic reaction in this room. (Hint: there are 4 in this room)
assessment & treatment
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions: Assessment & Treatment
Rapid recognition and immediate treatment are critical. Epinephrine is the most important medication in reversing the life-threatening effects of anaphylaxis, and timely administration can be lifesaving. You must be able to assess, manage, and provide rapid transport for patients experiencing allergic or anaphylactic emergencies.
assessment & treatment
Assessment & Treatment of Anaphylaxis
Watch the video to review the assessment and treatment anaphylaxis in Santa Barbara County.
assessment & treatment
Patient Scenario
Watch the video, then, answer the question
Question
Video Credit: BBC
assessment & treatment
assessment & treatment
assessment & treatment
This patient weighs 40 kg
assessment & treatment
Assess the Patient
You arrive on scene at a restaurant for respiratory distress. Watch the video for your initial impression of the patient. Then, answer the question.
Question 1
Video Credit: Channel 4
assessment & treatment
assessment & treatment
assessment & treatment
Scenario
You arrive on scene to find a 6 month old M in respiratory distress. Family tells you the baby ate something off his sister's plate and then started crying and vomiting. Now he is breathing heavily and has swelling to his face and eyes.. Select the stethoscope to listen to lung sounds. Then, select the button below to answer the question.
Question
assessment & treatment
Scenario
assessment & treatment
Scenario
county policies
Module 5 completion and study
review the following policy online or in your workbook
Policy 533-07
Anaphylaxis / Allergic Reaction
Note: you must complete the supplemental anaphylaxis case study in order to complete module 3!
References
MOdule references
Alexander, M., & Belle, R. (2016). Advanced EMT: A clinical reasoning approach (2nd ed.). Pearson Education. Limmer, D., O'Keefe, M., & Dickinson, E. T. (2020). Emergency care (14th ed.). Pearson Education. ResusMonitor. (n.d.). ResusMonitor: Simulation patient vitals monitor [Web application]. Retrieved October 20, 2025, from https://resusmonitor.com/ BBC. (2023, July 8). Baby’s anaphylactic reaction triggers PTSD for student paramedic [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh-jQmuxOvs Channel 4. (2024, February 21). Woman has MYSTERIOUS allergic reaction | 999: On the Case [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/zZIvCqYnVv0
make sure to complete the supplemental anaphylaxis case study in order to complete module 5!
Nuts are one of the most common allergens and many people have very severe reactions to even small amounts.
Correct! Pet dander is a common cause of allergic reactions.
Yes! Insects, especially bees and fire ants may cause anaphylaxis.
Many medications may cause allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis.