During a transfusion, a patient develops urticaria and bronchospasm. After stopping the transfusion, which medication should be administered?

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Multiple Choice

During a transfusion, a patient develops urticaria and bronchospasm. After stopping the transfusion, which medication should be administered?

Histamine release during a transfusion can cause urticaria and bronchospasm. After stopping the transfusion, blocking histamine’s effects provides rapid relief, and diphenhydramine does just that as an H1 antihistamine. It targets the skin and airway symptoms quickly, whereas corticosteroids work more slowly and are used for ongoing inflammation, not immediate relief. The other options don’t address histamine-mediated symptoms—heparin is an anticoagulant and Lasix is a diuretic. If the reaction progresses to severe anaphylaxis with airway or cardiovascular compromise, epinephrine would be indicated.

Histamine release during a transfusion can cause urticaria and bronchospasm. After stopping the transfusion, blocking histamine’s effects provides rapid relief, and diphenhydramine does just that as an H1 antihistamine. It targets the skin and airway symptoms quickly, whereas corticosteroids work more slowly and are used for ongoing inflammation, not immediate relief. The other options don’t address histamine-mediated symptoms—heparin is an anticoagulant and Lasix is a diuretic. If the reaction progresses to severe anaphylaxis with airway or cardiovascular compromise, epinephrine would be indicated.

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