Medical Emergencies · single question
The hives from the latex reaction: what is the most appropriate treatment for isolated urticaria/hives?
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Correct answer: A. Antihistamines
For ISOLATED URTICARIA (hives) without systemic involvement (no respiratory difficulty, no hypotension, no angioedema), the appropriate treatment is ANTIHISTAMINES (diphenhydramine/Benadryl). Antihistamines block H1 receptors and reduce the wheal-and-flare response. Epinephrine is reserved for ANAPHYLAXIS (systemic involvement). The key distinction: localized urticaria only = antihistamine; systemic reaction/anaphylaxis = epinephrine.
- A. CORRECT. ANTIHISTAMINES (diphenhydramine 25-50mg PO or IM) are the treatment of choice for isolated allergic urticaria (hives without systemic involvement). They block histamine receptors and reduce the allergic response.
- B. INCORRECT. Bronchodilators treat bronchospasm — not urticaria.
- C. INCORRECT. Ammonia (smelling salts) is used for syncope — not allergic urticaria.
- D. INCORRECT. Epinephrine is for ANAPHYLAXIS (systemic reaction with airway compromise, hypotension, severe angioedema). Isolated urticaria without systemic involvement does not require epinephrine.
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