Final answer:
Patients with allergies are taught by nurses to carry an epinephrine injector to counteract the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylactic shock should they come into contact with an allergen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse teaches patients with allergies to carry an epinephrine injector. This is critical for those with severe allergies as it can counteract the effects of anaphylactic shock. When an allergic individual encounters an allergen, such as an insect sting or accidental ingestion of a food that causes a severe reaction, mast cell degranulation can cause a drop in blood pressure and contractions of bronchial smooth muscle, leading to anaphylactic shock. Epinephrine, administered through an injector, helps to raise blood pressure, relax bronchial smooth muscle, and reduces swelling potentially preventing suffocation until medical attention can be obtained. An epinephrine shot can be life-saving, so it is important for individuals with known severe allergies to carry an epinephrine autoinjector with them at all times.