EMT Nitroglycerin Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is nitroglycerin?

A smooth-muscle relaxant that is used to treat chest pain associated with acute coronary syndrome.

Which of the following are indications for nitroglycerin? (Select all that apply)

Patient complains of chest pain (correct)

Patient has a history of diabetes

Patient's physician has prescribed nitroglycerin (correct)

Systolic blood pressure is greater than 100 (correct)

Which of the following are contraindications for nitroglycerin? (Select all that apply)

Patient has a systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg (correct)

Patient has already taken the maximum prescribed dose (correct)

Patient has asthma

Patient has a head injury (correct)

What are some common side effects of nitroglycerin? (Select all that apply)

Headache Signup and view all the answers

What actions does nitroglycerin perform?

Dilates blood vessels and decreases workload of the heart. Signup and view all the answers

The dosage for nitroglycerin is _____ mg.

0.4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended interval for repeating nitroglycerin doses?

Three to five minutes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nitroglycerin Overview

Nitroglycerin is a smooth-muscle relaxant used for treating chest pain linked to acute coronary syndrome.

Indications for Administration

Administer when the patient reports chest pain.
Consider if the patient has a history of cardiac issues.
Use if there is a valid prescription from the patient's physician.
Ensure the patient's systolic blood pressure is above 100 mmHg.
Obtain authorization from medical direction before administration.

Contraindications

Do not administer if the system blood pressure is below 100 mmHg.
Avoid use if the patient has a head injury.
Do not give if the patient has reached the maximum prescribed dosage.

Side Effects

Common side effects include hypotension and headache.
Patients may experience changes in pulse rate, dizziness, or light-headedness.

Actions of Nitroglycerin

Causes vasodilation, leading to widened blood vessels.
Reduces the heart's workload, helping alleviate chest pain.

Dosage Information

Standard dosage is 0.4 mg per dose.
Can be repeated every three to five minutes if the patient does not achieve relief, systolic blood pressure remains above 100, and approval from medical direction has been obtained.
For spray administration, typically one metered spray followed by a second in 15 minutes is prescribed.

Description

This quiz focuses on the use of nitroglycerin for EMTs, covering crucial definitions and indications. Perfect for enhancing your knowledge about managing chest pain and understanding the administration of this important medication.