Endocrine System Practice Questions Related

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A 38-year-old farmer is brought to the emergency room by his wife with symptoms of sudden difficulty breathing, sweatiness, and anxiety. He was spraying insecticide when this happened. It has been 25 minutes since the symptoms started. The patient is emergently intubated and given atropine and another medication that acts to reactivate acetylcholinesterase. What medication is it?

  • A. Physostigmine
  • B. Propranolol
  • C. Pralidoxime
  • D. Phenylephrine
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Pralidoxime. Pralidoxime is used to reactivate acetylcholinesterase in cases of organophosphate poisoning, which is likely the cause of the patient's symptoms after spraying insecticide. Reactivating acetylcholinesterase helps to break down excess acetylcholine, reducing the toxic effects of the insecticide. Physostigmine (choice A) is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which would worsen the patient's condition. Propranolol (choice B) is a beta-blocker and does not address the underlying issue of acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Phenylephrine (choice D) is a sympathomimetic drug used for vasoconstriction and would not be appropriate in this scenario.