Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is the common treatment for allergic rhinitis?

1. Intranasal corticosteroids

2. Antibiotics

3. Oral antihistamines

4. Leukotriene modifiers

The correct answer is: Intranasal corticosteroids

Intranasal corticosteroids are considered the common treatment for allergic rhinitis because they effectively reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, alleviate nasal congestion, and decrease other symptoms such as sneezing and itchiness. These medications work by directly targeting the inflammatory response associated with allergic reactions, leading to significant relief for patients suffering from seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis. While oral antihistamines also play a role in managing allergic rhinitis symptoms, especially for sneezing and itching, they do not address nasal congestion as effectively as intranasal corticosteroids. Antibiotics are not appropriate for allergic rhinitis since this condition is not caused by bacterial infections, and leukotriene modifiers are generally not first-line treatments for this condition; they are more commonly used for asthma management. Therefore, intranasal corticosteroids remain the optimal choice for treating allergic rhinitis due to their potency in reducing nasal inflammation and overall symptom relief.