Final answer:
Racemic epinephrine is recommended for post extubation stridor due to its short-acting β2-adrenergic effect, which helps relieve airway inflammation and eases breathing. Follow-up treatments may include antihistamines and slow-acting corticosteroids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Your patient presents with post extubation stridor. To manage this condition, you recommend racemic epinephrine, mainly for its short-acting β2-adrenergic effect. Racemic epinephrine works quickly to reduce airway inflammation and swelling, helping to relieve the stridor. This beneficial effect is due to its action on the β2-adrenergic receptors in the lungs, which prompts bronchodilation and eases the patient's breathing difficulties.
In contrast to long-acting β2-adrenergic agents, the effects of racemic epinephrine are short-lived; therefore, it is used for acute management rather than long-term control. The patient may also require follow-up treatments to manage ongoing inflammation or potential late-phase reactions after the acute episode has been addressed. Such treatments might include giving the patient antihistamines and slow-acting corticosteroids for several days after the reaction. However, it should be noted that the effectiveness of antihistamine and corticosteroid treatment for this purpose is based on theoretical considerations and is not as well supported by scientific studies.
The question seems incomplete, it must have been:
"Your patient presents with post extubation stridor. You recommend racemic epinephrine for its:
long-acting β2-adrenergic effect
short-acting β2-adrenergic effect"