Final answer:
To treat acute allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock, the recommended medication is epinephrine, which is administered to rapidly counteract the life-threatening symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drug of choice to treat acute allergic reactions is D. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is crucial in treating severe allergic reactions like anaphylactic shock. It works rapidly to raise blood pressure, relax bronchial muscles to improve breathing, and modulate heart rate. This is why individuals with severe allergies often carry an epinephrine auto-injector for immediate self-administration in case of an anaphylactic response. While norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, is used for other purposes like colds, epinephrine is specifically used for its life-saving properties during anaphylactic events.