Allergy Assessment for Nurses: True Allergy vs Sensitivity, and Safer Care with Dr. Sophia Thomas

New nurses are often handed a long “allergy list” and five minutes to make sense of it. In this episode, Kati Kleber talks with Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, former President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and NP at DePaul Community Health Centers, about how to take a focused allergy history that actually improves patient care. What you’ll learn: ✅ A fast framework to separate side effect vs intolerance vs sensitivity vs true allergy ✅ The exact questions to verify things like “penicillin allergy” and when to consider delabeling ✅ How and when to use allergen-specific IgE blood testing (no antihistamine washout) ✅ High-impact pitfalls: alpha-gal syndrome and heparin; birch–apple cross-reactivity ✅ Documentation that helps providers choose safer meds and diets ✅ When to loop in pharmacy/allergy, and what to tell families about prevention This episode is great info for new grads, med-surg, ICU/ED, primary care, school nurses, and anyone updating intake workflows. 🔗 Resources & Links: Connect with Dr. Sophia Thomas on LinkedIn:   / sophia-leblanc-thomas-dnp-aprn-fnp-bc-ppcn...   Join the FreshRN email list for free resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/ Nurse leaders: Looking for a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing students and new nurses at: https://www.freshrn.com/ Click here for my podcast for students and new nurses: https://www.freshrn.com/podcast Connect With Me Online! Facebook:   / freshrn   Twitter:   / kati_kleber   Pinterest:   / fresh_rn   Instagram:   / kati_kleber   TikTok:   / freshrn