Anaphylaxis Teaching Plan
PDF Version: Anaphylaxis Teaching Plan
Vital Information
| Author | Michael Haase, RN, BSN |
| Main Subject Area | Emergency Response |
| Topic or Unit of Study | How to respond to an allergic or anaphylactic emergency |
| Title of Lesson | How and when to use an EpiPen |
| Audience | All faculty and staff, with a priority to those in direct care of students with known allergies |
| Other Noteworthy Info | This lesson requires a hands-on component using EpiPen training devices and review of the Allergy/Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan |
Essential Question of Enduring Understanding: What do I do when a student is having an allergic emergency?
Classroom
| Type of Classroom | Teachers/faculty/staff |
| Estimated Time of Lesson | 15 minute initial lesson, 5-minute observation of appropriate use of EpiPen trainer |
Planning & Implementing a Lesson
Purpose:
To teach faculty and staff how to recognize and respond to an allergic emergency.
Objectives:
The goal is to have everyone attending feel confident in responding to an allergic emergency, using the Emergency Action Plan, and administering epinephrine.
Strategies to Assess Readiness to Learn:
Questioning.
Access prior knowledge by asking who has had to respond to an allergic emergency, and if they are aware of who on campus has severe allergies.
Materials & Resources
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Lesson:
Begin with asking attendees, “How would you respond to a student having a severe allergic reaction if you are the first person to witness it?” Acknowledge responses.
Ask, “Do you feel prepared to save a life?”
Gain insight to their prior knowledge of allergies.
Briefly discuss the importance of knowing how to use an EpiPen and why an EpiPen is an essential life-saving medication.
Discuss: “If a person was experiencing an allergic emergency, would you be able to recognize it?” Briefly describe anaphylaxis.
Distribute Emergency Action Plan templates. Walk the group through the EAP with particular focus on the algorithm for recognizing severe allergies and when to give epinephrine. Open up to any questions and respond.
Distribute EpiPen training devices. Describe their basic parts:
- Orange end: where needle is kept (Do NOT touch)
- Blue cap: safety cap, needs to be removed before EpiPen can be used
- Central tube: the ONLY place to grip and EpiPen
Go through steps of administering an EpiPen with demonstration on self.
Step 1: Ensure the scene and student are safe
Step 2: Remove EpiPen from its case
Step 3: Remove the blue safety cap
Step 4: Grip the EpiPen securely by its central tube in a fist with no fingers touching either end
Step 5: Press the Orange cap against the center of the student’s outer thigh until a click is heard, then hold the EpiPen against the thigh for at least 3 seconds, up to 10 seconds (No need to remove clothing)
Step 6: Remove the EpiPen, place in a safe spot, and rub the administration site gently. If possible, have student elevate their legs
Step 7: Ensure 911 has been called, stay with the student
Reinforcement and review:
Attendees will go through the steps of administering an EpiPen by using the trainer on themselves while observed and corrected if necessary. They will finish when they show correct administration procedure and state comfort with the action.
Wrap up:
- Distribute copies of list of students on campus with severe allergies along with the locations of prescribed EpiPens as well as the stock EpiPens for general emergency response
- Ask again, “Do you feel prepared to use an epipen in an anaphylactic situation?”
Follow Up and Follow Through:
Incorporate this procedure into an annual training for faculty and staff prior to the start of the school year, if possible. Make sure faculty with students in their classes who have severe allergies have copies of the student-specific emergency action plans.