The nurse is providing care for a patient who is to start receiving immunotherapy for severe environmental allergies. Which of the following should the nurse reinforce for patient and family education? (Select all that apply.)
a. "You will need to remain in the clinic for half an hour after your shot in case you have any reaction."
b. "The shots have medicine that helps slow down your immune system so you aren't sick all the time."
c. "You will have to have shots about once a month for the treatment to work."
d. "Reactions can occur up to 24 hours after the injection, so it is important to watch for any problems."
e. "Small amounts of things you are allergic to are being given in the shot so your body can become less sensitive to them."
f. "After the first shot, we'll be able to teach you how to give your own allergy shots at home."
ANS: A, D, E
When administering the allergen injection, it is important to understand that an anaphylactic reaction can occur. A physician and emergency equipment should be readily available. The patient should be observed following the injection for about 20 to 30 minutes to detect a reaction. Immunotherapy is used to help desensitize a patient and involves injecting small amounts of an extract of the allergen. The subcutaneous injections are given once or twice a week initially with a very dilute preparation. The patient and family should be taught that a reaction could occur up to 24 hours after the injection and how to respond if it does occur.
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