Anaphylaxis and the EpiPen: What Every Educator Must Know
Lesson 2 of 6 in Daily Routines, Transitions & Mealtimes · 30 minutes
Anaphylaxis is the most serious medical emergency you may face in a Canadian childcare centre. Read about Sabrina's Law (the Ontario law about anaphylaxis in publicly funded schools) and the matching rules for licensed child care, the signs of an allergic reaction, the difference between mild and severe symptoms, and the exact six steps for using an EpiPen. By the end of this lesson, you should know what to do, in what order, in the first sixty seconds.
What you'll learn
- Explain what anaphylaxis is and why it is a medical emergency
- Recognize the early signs of an allergic reaction (mild and severe)
- List, in order, the six steps for using an EpiPen and calling 911
- Describe what 'Sabrina's Law' requires of Ontario schools and childcare
- Identify your role as an assistant during an anaphylaxis emergency
From the lesson
What Is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis (pronounced an-a-fi-LAX-is) is a severe and rapid allergic reaction that affects the whole body. It can be triggered by foods (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, sesame, fish, shellfish), insect stings, latex, or some medications. In a child, anaphylaxis can become life-threatening in fifteen minutes or less. It is a medical emergency.
The symptoms of anaphylaxis are not the same as a runny nose or watery eyes. Anaphylaxis affects breathing and blood pressure. Without epinephrine (the medicine in an EpiPen), the airway can close, the blood pressure can drop, and the child can stop breathing.
Sabrina's Law
In 2005, Ontario passed Sabrina's Law in memory of Sabrina…