A patient with angina pectoris has been discharged with a new prescription for nitroglycerin tablets.
What is the most important instruction for the practical nurse (PN) to emphasize to the patient regarding the administration of nitroglycerin?
Flushing, dizziness, and general body warmth are common occurrences with each sublingual tablet taken.
If chest pain is not relieved after taking one nitroglycerin tablet three times at 5-minute intervals, call the emergency medical service (EMS).
A pounding headache is a common side effect of both the nitroglycerin patch and the sublingual tablets.
Use the nitroglycerin patch for long-term prevention and use the sublingual tablets for acute attacks.
The Correct Answer is B
Answer and explanation
The correct answer is B. If chest pain is not relieved after taking one nitroglycerin tablet three
times at 5-minute intervals, call the emergency medical service (EMS).
Choice A rationale
While flushing, dizziness, and general body warmth can occur with each sublingual tablet
taken, these are side effects of the medication and not the primary intended effect. The main
purpose of nitroglycerin is to relieve chest pain associated with angina.
Choice B rationale
This is the most important instruction. Nitroglycerin is used to treat episodes of angina. If
chest pain is not relieved after taking one nitroglycerin tablet three times at 5-minute
intervals, it could indicate a more serious condition, such as a heart attack. In this case,
immediate medical attention is necessary.
Choice C rationale
A pounding headache is a common side effect of both the nitroglycerin patch and the
sublingual tablets. However, the presence of a headache does not indicate whether the
medication is effectively treating angina.
Choice D rationale
While it’s true that nitroglycerin patches are used for long-term prevention and sublingual
tablets are used for acute attacks, this is general information about the medication and not the
most important instruction for a patient who has been prescribed nitroglycerin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat various infections. Seizure activity is a serious side effect of metronidazole and should be reported to the charge nurse immediately.
Choice B rationale
While headache is a common side effect of metronidazole, it is not as serious as seizure activity and does not necessarily need to be reported to the charge nurse unless it is severe or persistent.
Choice C rationale
A metallic taste in the mouth is a common side effect of metronidazole. It is not a serious side effect and does not need to be reported to the charge nurse.
Choice D rationale
Abdominal cramping can be a side effect of metronidazole. However, it is not as serious as seizure activity and does not necessarily need to be reported to the charge nurse unless it is severe or persistent.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. One of the side effects of sildenafil is visual changes. These changes can be temporary or long-lasting, and can potentially be a sign of a serious condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can lead to permanent vision loss. Therefore, it is crucial for the client to report these symptoms to the healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation and management.
Choice B rationale
While eye drops can be used to treat various eye conditions, they are not typically used to address visual changes caused by sildenafil. Therefore, instilling prescribed eye drops would not be the appropriate response in this situation.
Choice C rationale
Wearing dark glasses when outside can help protect the eyes from sun damage, but it would not address the underlying issue of visual changes caused by sildenafil. Therefore, this would not be the appropriate instruction for the practical nurse to give to the client.
Choice D rationale
The Amsler grid tool is used to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macula (the central part of the retina) or the optic nerve. However, this tool would not be useful in this context as the visual changes are a side effect of sildenafil. Therefore, monitoring for visual changes each morning using an Amsler grid tool would not be the appropriate instruction for the practical nurse to give to the client.
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