A patient is admitted with an asthma attack caused by an allergic ...

[Engineer]

A patient is admitted with an asthma attack caused by an allergic reaction to a medication. The nurse is aware that this severe allergic response is triggered by the immediate release of what?
 
  A) Antihistamine
  B) Histamine
  C) Epinephrine
  D) Surfactant

Question 2

The nurse administers atropine preoperatively for what purpose?
 
  A) Providing sedation
  B) Dilating the pupils
  C) Relaxing bladder muscles
  D) Decreasing secretions

[Brummell1998]

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
Asthma is characterized by reversible bronchospasm, inflammation, and hyperactive airways. The hyperactivity is triggered by allergens or nonallergic inhaled irritants or by factors such as exercise and emotions. The trigger causes an immediate release of histamine, which results in bronchospasm in about 10 minutes. An antihistamine is used to treat allergic responses because it counteracts the effects of histamine. Surfactant is a lubricating substance that is necessary to keep the alveoli open. Epinephrine is a medication used to treat acute allergic responses.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
Atropine is administered preoperatively to reduce secretions, but added indications include gastrointestinal (GI) effects that reduce GI activity. Atropine has no sedating effects, and is not given preoperatively for its pupil dilation effects, or for its bladder muscle relaxation effects.

[Engineer]

TYSM

[Perkypinki]

Excellent