South Dakota Medication Aide Practice Test

Sympathomimetic decongestants work by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to various physiological responses. One of the primary actions of these decongestants is vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of blood vessels. This occurs because sympathomimetic agents bind to alpha-adrenergic receptors on the smooth muscle of blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow in areas such as the nasal passages. As a result, this action effectively reduces swelling and congestion, making it easier to breathe.

Furthermore, vasoconstriction helps alleviate nasal congestion associated with colds or allergies by decreasing blood flow to the nasal tissues, thereby reducing inflammation and mucus production. This is the key reason why they are commonly used for the temporary relief of nasal or sinus congestion. While sympathomimetic decongestants can also have effects on bronchial tissue, they are not specifically designed to induce vomiting or cause bronchoconstriction, nor do they directly inhibit asthma attacks as their primary function is to decongest rather than to serve as bronchodilators.