What is the primary purpose of prescribing a histamine receptor antagonist for an infant diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux?

The correct answer is choice C. Therapeutic management includes administration of gamma globulin and aspirin.

Choice A rationale:

The child's fever in Kawasaki disease is not usually responsive to antibiotics within 48 hours. Kawasaki disease is an inflammatory condition of blood vessels, and it doesn't typically respond to antibiotics. The fever associated with Kawasaki disease often persists even with appropriate treatment, and the management focuses on reducing inflammation and preventing complications.

Choice B rationale:

Aspirin is not contraindicated in Kawasaki disease. In fact, aspirin is a key component of the therapeutic management of Kawasaki disease. It is used to reduce inflammation and prevent the development of coronary artery aneurysms, a severe complication of the disease. However, the dosing of aspirin in Kawasaki disease is different from its use for pain relief, and it should be administered under medical supervision.

Choice C rationale:

Therapeutic management of Kawasaki disease does include administration of gamma globulin and aspirin. Gamma globulin is given to reduce the risk of coronary artery involvement and aneurysm formation. Aspirin, at a specific dose regimen, is used to decrease inflammation and platelet aggregation, thus preventing clot formation in the coronary arteries.

Choice D rationale:

The principal area of involvement in Kawasaki disease is not the joints. Kawasaki disease primarily affects the blood vessels, particularly the coronary arteries. The inflammation of these arteries can lead to the development of coronary artery aneurysms, which is a critical concern in Kawasaki disease. Joint involvement is not a prominent feature of this condition.

The correct answer is choice B. Reduce gastric acid production.

Choice A rationale:

Preventing reflux is not the primary purpose of prescribing a histamine receptor antagonist. Histamine receptor antagonists work by reducing gastric acid production, which in turn can help alleviate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). They do not directly prevent the physical reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.

Choice B rationale:

The primary purpose of prescribing a histamine receptor antagonist for an infant diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux is to reduce gastric acid production. Histamine stimulates acid secretion in the stomach, and these medications (e.g., ranitidine, famotidine) block histamine receptors on stomach cells, leading to decreased acid secretion. This helps reduce the acidity of stomach contents that could contribute to esophageal irritation in GERD.

Choice C rationale:

Preventing hematemesis (vomiting blood) is not a primary action of histamine receptor antagonists. While reducing gastric acid production might indirectly help prevent complications such as bleeding due to irritation and inflammation of the esophagus, it's not the main purpose of these medications.

Choice D rationale:

Increasing gastric acid production is the opposite of the intended effect of histamine receptor antagonists. These medications are specifically used to decrease gastric acid production and provide relief from conditions where excess acid is causing problems, such as GERD.