Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025

Which therapeutic drug is primarily used to reduce inflammation?

1. NSAIDs

2. Corticosteroids

3. Antihistamines

4. Decongestants

The correct answer is: Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are indeed primarily used to reduce inflammation. They work by mimicking the effects of hormones your body produces naturally in your adrenal glands, which help control inflammation and immune responses. These drugs can be very effective in treating a range of conditions characterized by excessive inflammation, such as asthma, allergies, and autoimmune disorders. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), while also effective for reducing inflammation, are usually selected for pain relief and can reduce swelling, but corticosteroids are typically more potent and commonly utilized for serious inflammatory conditions. Antihistamines primarily address allergic reactions by blocking histamine, and decongestants reduce nasal congestion; neither of these categories directly targets inflammation itself.