If a patient experiences sudden hypotension and bronchoconstriction following exposure to peanuts, which process explains why mast cell degranulation causes this systemic response?

💡 Explanation

Histamine, released during mast cell degranulation, increases vascular permeability, leading to fluid extravasation and hypotension because of reduced blood volume. Bronchoconstriction results from smooth muscle contraction. Therefore, histamine's effect on vascular permeability and smooth muscle leads to the observed symptoms, rather than cAMP or cytokine effects.

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