Question

A patient has an important presentation to make in 4 hours and he needs relief from the congestion of seasonal rhinitis. The patient calls the nurse, explains the situation, and tells the nurse that he cannot afford to be drowsy. Which antihistamine would be a good choice for this patient?

Select one:
a. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
b. Dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine)
c. Loratadine (Claritin)
d. Hydroxyzine (Atarax)

Answer 1

Loratadine (Claritin) is the best choice for the patient as it is a non-drowsy antihistamine and offers relief from seasonal rhinitis symptoms without causing sedation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best choice for a patient who needs relief from the congestion of seasonal rhinitis but cannot afford to be drowsy before an important presentation would be c. Loratadine (Claritin). Loratadine is a non-drowsy antihistamine that is less likely to cause sedation compared to first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or hydroxyzine (Atarax). It acts by blocking the action of histamine that causes allergic symptoms, providing relief from nasal congestion, sneezing, and other allergy-related symptoms without causing drowsiness. Consulting a medical professional is recommended for long-term use, but for short-term relief, Loratadine is an effective choice.