A client is prescribed an antihistamine for an allergic reaction. The client asks, "Why am I getting this? What is a histamine anyway?" How can the nurse most accurately describe the action of histamine in the body?
1. "Histamine causes your blood vessels to dilate and leak. That is why you are swollen and itchy."
2. "Histamine stimulates production of the clotting parts of your blood. That is why you are blotchy."
3. "Histamine stimulates production of white blood cells to fight off infection. That is why you feel flushed."
4. "Histamine stimulates production of the red cells of your blood. That is why you are red."
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Histamine is responsible for vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.
Rationale 2: Histamine does not stimulate platelet production.
Rationale 3: Histamine does not stimulate white blood cell production.
Rationale 4: Histamine does not stimulate red blood cell production.
Global Rationale: Histamine is a key chemical mediator of inflammation. It is stored primarily within mast cells located in tissue spaces under epithelial membranes such as the skin, bronchial tree, and digestive tract along with blood vessels. Mast cells detect foreign agents or injury and respond by releasing histamine, which initiates the inflammatory response within seconds. When released at an injury site, histamine dilates nearly blood vessels, causing the capillaries to become more permeable. Plasma, complement proteins, and phagocytes can then enter the area to neutralize microbes or their toxins. The affected area may become congested with blood, which can lead to warmth, redness, and significant swelling and pain. Histamine does not stimulate platelet production, white blood cell production, or red blood cell production.
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