How To Use an EpiPen: Nurses' Guide

[@Wodenseyes]

I administered an epi pen to a 6 year old who had a peanut allergy in a restaurant because the mother had a panic attack and couldn’t hold her hands steady. It seemed pretty intuitive to me personally. But I think these instructional videos need to be mandatory for people that carry them.

[@valentinocaine2294]

Great video. I'm a paramedic and I've helped out with EMT classes. 3 tips, make sure the person has nothing in their pocket before stabbing away, it may slip your mind or the patient's mind in the stress of the emergency. Also if the person is wearing jeans, careful to avoid the double seam running down the thigh. It can break the needle if the stab isn't perfectly perpendicular. Lastly, it's ideal if the site is cleaned prior to the injection, especially for the immunocompromised. Complications from infection on top of anaphylaxis can be detrimental. Of course this risk is low, but worth considering. Good work!

[@DBLuvPack888]

So we can in fact administer the pen over clothing?

[@valentinocaine2294]

@@DBLuvPack888 One could during a true emergency, but of course aseptic technique would be the gold standard in most scenarios.

[@777MAG]

I’m a nurse, I’ve had paramedics as patients. You are definitely a paramedic 😂…..it’s a certain personality you all carry. Not a bad thing. Paramedics are amazing. Best training in healthcare. As a nurse you guys made me sweat with every pill and procedure.

[@valentinocaine2294]

@@777MAG
😂 Well thank you! I greatly admire nurses. I feel that paramedics, as far as our scope goes, are nurses, just outside of the hospital. It takes a special kind of person to be a nurse, and requires traits that one doesn't learn in school. I think our professions complement each other well. Thank you for all you do! Don't sweat it! I've had some quivering lips hid behind a mask when I'm supposed to monitor medications I've never even heard of, that nurses can rattle off like no one's business!

[@crystalmoss3049]

A couple weeks ago I experienced anaphylaxis for the first time in my 41 years of life and had to call 911. At my follow up, my primary prescribed me an epi pen and gave me zero instruction. This video is very helpful.

[@UrrALegend]

Blue to the sky, orange to the thigh 👍

[@meaghenstandlee6644]

lol thank you my ocd weird brain 🧠 will use that tomorrow for training

[@777MAG]

Just got a job as a school nurse 😩..so many kids with allergies. I hope I never have to use this but we have a lot of uninformed, forgetful teachers that shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️ and say “oh, I gave him milk , I didn’t know”. Love the job , just need to b ready for action from the looks of things.

[@netsirk8437]

Thank you for this information. My son had a severe allergic reaction today, and was just prescribed an EpiPen. This is very new to us, and this was very helpful.

[@hannahllewellyn163]

true2022

[@bc-guy852]

"Blue to the Sky - - Yellow / orange to the thigh." And keep one around... (I used to put the expired ones in the glovebox or shed - - they're still 'good' if you don't have access to a current one... within reason.)

[@celestialknight2339]

I wish your son the best. Stay safe 🤍

[@johannablancquaert4051]

I've had an epipen since Friday and now I know how to use it!

[@bc-guy852]

I've had an EpiPen around - just in case - when / if someone is visiting.
I've seen a few of these videos and yours is very well done. I note that none of the videos I've seen address the 'jeans' issue. I see it is discussed here, in another comment. I concur. I guess for some it's obvious that in an emergency these things are designed to accommodate clothing up to and including jeans. But I think if I had to administer one to a child wearing shorts I would push the shorts up first. Nice job!

[@emmajenkins2334]

This was very helpful especially blue to the sky orange to the thigh.

[@riverthompson8027]

Thank you. My daughter was just prescribed an epipen today for bees. We just watched this video together, and we're on the way to get her pen. I can use this video to train her father and 2 older siblings, too.

[@bbullwits258]

Great video and demonstration! I've had anaphylactic attacks in the past, and always carry 3 pens. I loved how you showed the actual CLICK because many use the pens incorrectly. Thanks and keep well! - Blaise

[@yesyeahyes1]

How do you know if a reaction is mild enough to not use your epi-pen? I have new allergies and am still figuring it out

[@bbullwits258]

@yesyeahyes1 Whenever I feel my lips/mouth go numb or have difficultybreathing, I use mine and get to the hospital. Dizziness, skin-blotching, hives and Confusion can also be signs of anaphylaxis. Stay safe, my friend! 🌟🤘🕯

[@yesyeahyes1]

@bbullwits258 thanks for the reply! Recently i ingested a bit of an allergen and I took some benadryl, it didn't feel like there were serious symptoms showing...then i was getting so anxious because I feeling kinda loopy but I couldn't tell if it was from the benadryl or from the allergen

[@bbullwits258]

@@yesyeahyes1 Yes, most over-the-counter allergy meds make you sleepy...be careful. All the best! 🤘🤩

[@MzVee106]

Thanks for explaining; I'm getting ready to administer it on myself because of severe hives but I'm terrified 😮

[@jet_GraveWhisperer]

I've recently acquired a severe peanut allergy. When I was told I need an epipen I thought "how the heck I use that?!" So the video is helpful

[@natashak3387]

Thank you for this! I have been in and out of the hospital a lot this year for major health complications that I can't help. I've been doing these infusions at the hospital for one of my conditions and keep having allergic reactions. I had to get epid in the emergency room today because rescue meds weren't working. Now I have my own epi pen just incase.

[@LovinglfDesigns]

I have an infusion at the hospital today and will be carrying my EpiPens. I've had a severe allergic reaction in the past to medication so I'm really cautious.

[@adebankeadetunji2802]

Helpful video, thanks so much

[@gabblivions]

This is way to helpful than i thought it would be. Thanks for this info

[@mikeyboy6887]

Great video , simple clear and easy to understand.

[@davidchca]

Thanks, very helpful

[@GK-ji3pm]

Very thorough and ti the point...

[@beabigirl2012]

Well said and thank you for speaking loud enough very educational

[@AdamKDean]

Really helpful as a parent. Thanks.

[@stevenyoung8769]

Great video!

[@abderrahimamazire4340]

Thanks. Very educational

[@mebmakesvideos5696]

Thank you

[@alicesigford7459]

Thanks you for let us know

[@IndiBex86]

Thank you for this info!

[@user-ms2wj2dp3o]

Thank you !

[@celestialknight2339]

Thank you! I have some questions:
Can you administer through jeans or you need to remove pants?
Does the needle come out by itself when you press firmly?
Are there actually state laws preventing another person injecting it for you?
Are they immediately effective? Within seconds or minutes?…
Is it one-time use?
If you give the shot when they don’t need it, can this be harmful? Or is it ok and will not affect them?
Does the needle automatically retract back?

[@sable7114]

All of these are good questions and I wish they had been answered. I do believe in the video that she said use of the EpiPen medicine has no country indications so no need to worry about that . I wonder if it hurts and also wonder if somebody else could be liable if they did the injection for you or had to do it for you. I will be picking up my first one from a pharmacy and the nurse at my doctor's office said that I would not be injecting it that someone else would have to inject it if so needed. On tv, I've always seen people do this to themselves.

[@Joel.4]

I use these for fun all the time!

[@lakeshacarter8198]

Great demo!😊

[@patriciaducent1135]

Fantastic clear explanation.
Oh thanks much.
Ps love your happy attitude xx

[@chanyblejer7841]

Thank you 👍

[@Cruiser-nr3pl]

Just watched a video from Mass General Hospital and it said hold in for 3 seconds. Training I just finished said 5 seconds, so guess you can choose what you want.

[@Merin151]

This is perfect

[@christinamerritt7894]

Hi thank you for the helpful video? What is the rule o f thumb now regarding length of time when administering the epi-pen, 3 or 10 seconds?

[@Lunartwilight37]

I'm new to using the epenpen. Allergy to Garlic

[@mailosgirl2]

Omg noooo. That is the worse

[@crystaldawn3409]

How do you know when to do the second? And do you do it in the same spot?

[@fashionkiller5052]

Great video thank you,

[@traceyali]

Shouldn’t you also massage the area after administering the auto injector?

[@ClaireBeckett-jex-o9i]

So on a 6 year old would you administer the epii pen straight through the clothes and she has severe allergies peanuts and eggs what about if it doesn’t click if you haven’t pressed hard enough

[@lynnemartineau7778]

I think they should have made a universal epicenter one for all like with Benadryl in it

[@ohiopipper3956]

I just received a epi pen and looking for ideas of how to carry a pen on a daily basis. I am A guy. There is no videos of suggesting how to carry it on a daily basis.

[@charlessmith263]

I just got one myself. With a trainer. When I use the trainer, and hit that orange thing on the thigh, I will hear a popping click but no needle is going to go through because it is a trainer?

[@cowboypete2313]

Question is this Pen only for one injection and discard after use?

[@annafinley7166]

Great question! Yes, the EpiPen is one-time use only. You'll need a prescription to obtain a new one.

[@kbb813]

10 seconds or 3 seconds?

[@cristinadallesantro9332]

My question too...

[@ashley20233]

My EpiPen for my daughter specified 3 seconds and that's what I did.

[@nielmay3664]

Epipen and Anapen are both 3 seconds, the manufacture of Epipen changed it to 3 seconds, if it is held in longer it does not matter.

[@dontgetmewrong4317]

How do you give multiple doses of an epipen or a half dose? The epipen that I am aware of states in the label "single use", and cannot be used once it is activated.

[@bc-guy852]

Good question. I am not a pharmacist or a Doctor but from what I know - (and in Canada) these are by prescription. So each chile with their own pen - has the right one, in the right dose. The Children's EpiPen is half the dose - and the indications for body weight - to determine which dose is best if it's not their EpiPen, are covered in the video.

[@yesyeahyes1]

I got an epi-pen recently and am pretty sure it's standard that each epi-pen contains one dose. To give someone a second dose, you'd need a second epi-pen

[@kyriltolbert]

Thanks and God bless
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[@ThisPersonisasillygoose]

Needles scare the fuck outta me 💀

[@nielmay3664]

The things that I noticed with this video are you say 1. Hold it for 10 seconds, the manufacture states 3 seconds ( Anapens and Epipens are now 3 seconds). 2. You use a swinging motion and thumps against the thigh this will cause the the device to kick back it is better to place on mid outer thigh and push down till you hear or feel a click. 3. You demonstrate it while standing and sitting in a chair these are both not correct, if you demonstrate thing do it the correct positions lay on the ground or if the person has breathing problems sit them up with legs out in front. This is how I was trained to do it 23 years ago when they had the old style Epipens and as a first aid trainer I demonstrate on another person not myself.

[@Fot113]

Could you imagine if she injected it in her hand on accident 💀🖐🏻

[@valentinocaine2294]

Oh yeah it's ugly stuff. Epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor - it makes blood vessels smaller thus raising blood pressure. You catch that needle in one of your fingers, it will turn black/possibly die from not enough blood flow. Just like a frostbite injury.

[@provost5752]

Thank you