Type I immediate hypersensitivity reactions (shown below) are characterized by immunoglobulin E mediation and mast cell degranulation. These reactions occur ...April2008-Volume38-Issue4PreviousArticleNextArticleArticleasEPUBExportAllImagestoPowerPointFileAddtoMyFavoritesColleague'sE-mailisInvalidYourName:(optional)YourEmail:Colleague'sEmail:Separatemultiplee-mailswitha(;).Message:Thoughtyoumightappreciatethisitem(s)IsawatNursing2021.SendacopytoyouremailYourmessagehasbeensuccessfullysenttoyourcolleague.Someerrorhasoccurredwhileprocessingyourrequest.Pleasetryaftersometime.EndNoteProciteReferenceManagerSavemyselection…&more:I.V.ROUNDSNursing:April2008-Volume38-Issue4-p60doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000314802.53467.43FreeMetricsBYDEFINITION,ahypersensitivityreactioninvolvesanexcessiveorinappropriateactivationoftheimmunesystem.1ThisarticlefocusesonTypeIimmediatehypersensitivityreactions,whichcanbetriggeredbyadministrationofcertainI.V.drugs.Thesereactionsrangefrommildlocalsignsandsymptomstolife-threateninganaphylaxis,asystemicimmuneresponse.AmongI.V.drugs,themostcommonculpritsareantibioticsandcontrastmedia.(Fordetailsonthefourtypesofhypersensitivityreactions,seeOutofcontrol.)Anaphylaxis,themostsevereimmediatehypersensitivityreaction,usuallyoccurswithinminutesofexposuretotheantigen.Signsandsymptomscanbegroupedbyorgansystem,asfollows:Respiratory:Nasalcongestion,stridor,cough,bronchospasm,wheezing,decreasedairmovement,tachypnea,dyspnea,hoarseness,tightnessinthroat.Skin:Urticaria(hives);pruritus;cyanosis;cold,clammyskin;angioedema.Cardiovascular:Tachycardia,hypotension,dysrhythmias,chestdiscomfort.Centralnervoussystem:Agitation,anxiety,dizziness,mentalstatuschanges,lossofconsciousness.TreatmentforaTypeIimmediatehypersensitivityreactiondependsontheseverityofthereaction,buttheseinterventionsusuallyapply:Stoptheinfusion.Assessandsupportthepatient'sairway,breathing,andcirculation(ABCs).Administersupplementaloxygen,initiatecardiacmonitoring,andensurethatthepatienthasI.V.access.Checkthepa