If a patient has a PABA allergy, which topical anesthetic should you select?

Prepare for the CRDTS Local Anesthesia Test with our quiz. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations, to ensure you're ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If a patient has a PABA allergy, which topical anesthetic should you select?

Explanation:
PABA allergy concerns come from ester local anesthetics, which can release para-aminobenzoic acid during metabolism and trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. Because of that, ester-type topicals such as benzocaine, procaine, and tetracaine are avoided in patients with PABA allergy. Lidocaine is an amide-type local anesthetic, and amides do not yield PABA as a metabolite, making it the safer option in this scenario. Thus, lidocaine is the best choice for a patient who has a PABA allergy.

PABA allergy concerns come from ester local anesthetics, which can release para-aminobenzoic acid during metabolism and trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. Because of that, ester-type topicals such as benzocaine, procaine, and tetracaine are avoided in patients with PABA allergy. Lidocaine is an amide-type local anesthetic, and amides do not yield PABA as a metabolite, making it the safer option in this scenario. Thus, lidocaine is the best choice for a patient who has a PABA allergy.

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