Lucy is a 47-year-old female who has a severe allergy to shrimp. While at a cock

Question

Lucy is a 47-year-old female who has a severe allergy to shrimp. While at a cocktail party, she inadvertently ingests some shrimp from an hors d'oeuvre tray. She begins to experience signs of a severe reaction to the shrimp such as throat tightening and lip and eyelid swelling. Which medication is most likely to be used? What type of drug is it? What action does the medication have on the autonomic nervous system? Which part of the autonomic nervous system helps the body to be ready for emergencies

Explanation / Answer

Lucy's signs indicate symptoms of anaphylatic shock or anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate recognition and intervention. Epinephrine (ADRENALIN) is the treatment of choice and the first drug administered for acute anaphylaxis. This medication is used in emergencies to treat very serious allergic reactions to insect stings/bites, foods, drugs, or other substances. Epinephrine acts quickly to improve breathing, stimulate the heart, raise a dropping blood pressure, reverse hives, and reduce swelling of the face, lips, and throat. Epinephrine is in a class of medications called alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists (sympathomimetic agents). It works by relaxing the muscles in the airways and tightening the blood vessels. the -adrenergic vasoconstrictive effects reverse peripheral vasodilation, which alleviates hypotension and also reduces erythema, urticaria, and angioedema. The -adrenergic properties of epinephrine cause bronchodilation, increase myocardial output and contractility, and suppress further mediator release from mast cells and basophils. This type of sympathetic or adrenergic receptors are alpha, beta 1 and beta 2. Alpha-receptors are located on the arteries. When the alpha receptor is stimulated by epinephrine or norepinephrine, the arteries constrict. This increases the blood pressure and the blood flow returning to the heart. The blood vessels in skeletal muscles lack alpha-receptors because they need to stay open to utilize the increased blood pumped by the heart. Autonomic nervous system is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. In times of emergencies, the body undergoes physiological and psychological changes, which help prepare it to face the danger. The body is able to respond in an unordinary way to encounter the emergency. The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system, which plays the role of controlling involuntary functions in body including response by the body to emergency situations which is also referred to as fight or flight response.

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