What it means
A stretchy material once used in most medical gloves and many devices, such as urinary catheters, tourniquets and blood pressure cuffs. Proteins in natural latex can cause allergy, from a skin rash to life-threatening anaphylaxisan-uh-fuh-LAK-sisA sudden, severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body.ana- away, against-phylaxis protectionFull entry . People at higher risk include those with many past surgeries or bladder catheters (such as children with spina bifida), health care workers, and people allergic to some foods such as banana, avocado, kiwi and chestnut.
For the nurse
Ask every client about latex allergy. For a client with a latex allergy, use latex-free supplies, post the allergy clearly, and schedule surgery in a room prepared to be latex-safe, often as the first case of the day.
In a chart
"Allergy: latex (hives and wheezing); latex-free cart at bedside."
At a glance
| Spanish | látex |
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Related terms
allergy
A reaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people.
anaphylaxis
A sudden, severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body.
hypersensitivity
An overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is usually harmless.