Question

Epinephrine is effective in helping reverse the adverse effects of anaphylaxis. It is the drug of choice because it causes bronchodilation and vasoconstriction to improve respiratory effort and improve blood pressure.

What other effect does epinephrine have on the patient's body during an anaphylactic reaction?

A. It reduces the release of chemical mediators from the mast cells

B. It is effective in reducing the inflammatory response of the reaction

C. Increases the heart rate to improve peripheral perfusion

D. It causes peripheral vasoconstriction to reduce the itching associated with the reaction

Answer 1

Epinephrine increases the heart rate to improve peripheral perfusion during an anaphylactic reaction, in addition to its primary effects of vasoconstriction and bronchodilation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Epinephrine is the drug of choice for treating anaphylactic shock because it has multiple effects on the body that are beneficial during an anaphylactic reaction. Among the options provided, the correct answer is that epinephrine increases the heart rate to improve peripheral perfusion (Option C). This is in addition to causing bronchodilation, which improves breathing, and vasoconstriction, which raises blood pressure.

It is also helpful in that it can reduce the release of additional allergic mediators from the mast cells (Option A), which can contribute to the allergic response. While it is not primarily known for reducing the itching associated with the reaction or acting as an anti-inflammatory drug, as indicated in options B and D, these can be indirect benefits of its primary actions.