Question

a nurse is teaching a client about the use of antihistamines to treat allergic rhinitis. the nurse should explain that these medications are effective because they perform which of the following actions? decrease viscosity of nasal secretions block h₂ receptors prevent histamine from binding to receptors reduce nasal congestion

Explanation:

Antihistamines for allergic rhinitis work by targeting histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms. Decreasing nasal secretion viscosity is an action of mucolytics, not antihistamines. Blocking H₂ receptors is the function of H₂ antagonists (used for stomach acid issues), not allergy antihistamines (which target H₁ receptors). Reducing nasal congestion is a secondary effect or the role of decongestants, not the primary mechanism of antihistamines. The core action of these medications is preventing histamine from binding to its receptors, stopping the allergic response.

Answer:

Prevent histamine from binding to receptors