Which synthetic opioid is used for pain control in emergencies?

• A. Adenosine
• B. Fentanyl
• C. Magnesium sulfate
• D. Anistreplase

Answer: (B)

In emergencies, pain relief needs to be fast, controllable, and short‑lived so you can reassess the patient quickly. Fentanyl fits this role as a potent synthetic opioid analgesic that can be given IV for rapid onset (often within minutes) and has a relatively short duration, allowing dosing to be titrated to effect without prolonged sedation. Its high potency means small doses achieve meaningful analgesia, and it tends to cause less histamine release than morphine, which can help maintain blood pressure in unstable patients, though close monitoring for respiratory depression remains essential. The other options are not analgesics: adenosine is used to terminate certain tachyarrhythmias, magnesium sulfate is used for eclampsia or specific arrhythmias, and anistreplase is a thrombolytic used to dissolve clots.