In a severe allergic reaction, when epinephrine is not advised by medical control, which medication can be given to address bronchospasm?

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Multiple Choice

In a severe allergic reaction, when epinephrine is not advised by medical control, which medication can be given to address bronchospasm?

Albuterol provides rapid relief of bronchospasm by directly relaxing the smooth muscle in the airways through stimulation of beta-2 receptors. In a severe allergic reaction where airway constriction is the immediate threat and epinephrine cannot be given, a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator is the best choice to open the airways quickly and improve ventilation. Diphenhydramine won’t quickly relieve bronchospasm because it’s an antihistamine with a relatively slow and limited effect on airway smooth muscle. Methylprednisolone helps reduce inflammation but takes hours to work, so it doesn’t address the acute narrowing. Epinephrine would address bronchospasm but is not advised in this scenario, so the immediate option to counteract bronchospasm is albuterol.

Albuterol provides rapid relief of bronchospasm by directly relaxing the smooth muscle in the airways through stimulation of beta-2 receptors. In a severe allergic reaction where airway constriction is the immediate threat and epinephrine cannot be given, a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator is the best choice to open the airways quickly and improve ventilation.

Diphenhydramine won’t quickly relieve bronchospasm because it’s an antihistamine with a relatively slow and limited effect on airway smooth muscle. Methylprednisolone helps reduce inflammation but takes hours to work, so it doesn’t address the acute narrowing. Epinephrine would address bronchospasm but is not advised in this scenario, so the immediate option to counteract bronchospasm is albuterol.

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