South Dakota Medication Aide Practice Test

The primary action of decongestants is to cause vasoconstriction of the nasal mucosa. Decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages, which reduces blood flow to the swollen tissues and leads to decreased congestion. This action helps to relieve the symptoms associated with nasal congestion, making it easier to breathe through the nose.

By constricting the blood vessels, decongestants alleviate the swelling and inflammation that often accompany colds, allergies, or sinus infections. This results in a reduction of mucus production and helps clear nasal passages, providing relief from discomfort and obstruction.

In contrast, other options such as causing bronchodilation or promoting acid secretion are actions associated with different types of medications, such as bronchodilators for asthma or proton pump inhibitors for acid-related conditions, respectively. Inhibiting gastric emptying pertains to medications affecting the digestive system, which is not related to the mechanism of decongestants.