Question

A 6year old child is brought to the emergency department by her parents in respiratory distress. the parents state this started right after eating sandwiches. They say this has never happened before. When asked what she ate, the mom says peanut butter jelly on whole wheat bread, celery and carrot sticks and chocolate milk. the physician is suspecting peanut allergy.

a) The mother states to you, the nurse, that she is very concerned because this has not happened before and the child eats peanut butter all the time. How should you respond?

b) identify some ways to determining if there is allergy to peanuts.

c) What are some nursing diagnoses that would be appropriate in this situation?

Answer 1

Answer-(a):

● Explanation: Nurse's response...

1. You please don't worry about your child as we are suspecting the cause of the problem.

2. I am understanding what you are trying to say but it is possible to be sudden allergy to any food specially in childhood.

3. It can be peanuts allergy because your child have ate peanuts butter with the combination of wheat bread, celery, carrot sticks and chocolate milk. So it can be reaction of peanut's butter with any other food.

4. We are trying to know the exact cause of the disease and let you know as soon as possible till then you please keep patience.

Answer-(b):

● Explanation: Determinants of allergy to peanuts...

1. As child is having respiratory distress it is an important determinant of peanut's allergy because shortness of breath and wheezing sound of breaths are main signs and symptoms of peanut's allergy.

2. Tightening of the throat is also an important determinant of peanut's allergy.

3. Nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps (digestive problems) are the noticeable determinants of peanut's allergy.

4. Some skin reactions also can be determinants of peanut's allergy like hives, swelling and redness.

5. Hypotension and rapid pulse rate are the noticeable determinants of peanut's allergy.

6. There are also some points that can be helpful in the determination of peanut's allergy like itching in or around the mouth and throat.

Answer-(c):

● Explanation: Nursing diagnosis in this situation...

1. Dyspnea (difficulty in breathing) related to food allergy as evidenced by physical examination and history collection.

2. Ineffective breathing pattern related to breathing difficulty as evidenced by self observation.

3. Anxiety related to disease condition as evidenced by patient's facial expressions.

4. Ineffective airway clearance related to tightening of throat as evidenced by physical examination.

Thank You