Study for the Medical FIDSAP v2 Test. Sharpen your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your upcoming test!

Multiple Choice

An 18 year old male has localized urticaria on his legs after mowing the lawn. Vital signs are BP 146/84, P 92, and regular, R 16 unlabored. What should you do?

Localized urticaria from an allergen exposure like mowing grass involves histamine release in the skin, causing itchy wheals. The patient is hemodynamically stable with no airway compromise or systemic symptoms, so this is not anaphylaxis. First-line treatment for mild urticaria is an antihistamine to block H1 receptors and reduce itching and wheal formation; diphenhydramine is a common option that provides rapid relief. Epinephrine would be reserved for a severe systemic reaction with airway involvement or shock, which isn’t present here. Ice packs might offer temporary relief from itching but don’t address the underlying histamine-driven reaction. Antibiotic ointment isn’t appropriate since there’s no infection or skin break needing antibiotics.

Localized urticaria from an allergen exposure like mowing grass involves histamine release in the skin, causing itchy wheals. The patient is hemodynamically stable with no airway compromise or systemic symptoms, so this is not anaphylaxis. First-line treatment for mild urticaria is an antihistamine to block H1 receptors and reduce itching and wheal formation; diphenhydramine is a common option that provides rapid relief. Epinephrine would be reserved for a severe systemic reaction with airway involvement or shock, which isn’t present here. Ice packs might offer temporary relief from itching but don’t address the underlying histamine-driven reaction. Antibiotic ointment isn’t appropriate since there’s no infection or skin break needing antibiotics.