A patient is being evaluated for postextubation laryngeal edema.A dose of racemic epinephrine has been ordered.What type of agent is this medication?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An alpha-adrenergic drug, such as racemic epinephrine, causes the small arterioles that bring blood to the laryngeal epithelium to constrict; this limits the blood flow and pressure that can reach the capillaries. Consequently, capillary blood volume decreases, epithelial tissues shrink, and edema subsides. For this reason, aerosolized racemic epinephrine is the drug of choice for quick relief of postextubation laryngeal edema.

A Patient Is Being Evaluated for Postextubation Laryngeal Edema