The nurse recognizes which of the following as a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea?

A. Taking 4 tablets over 20 minutes exceeds the recommended limit of 3 doses in 15 minutes and can dangerously delay emergency care if the pain is due to a heart attack.

B. The correct teaching is to take 1 sublingual nitroglycerin tablet at the onset of angina and, if pain persists after 5 minutes, activate emergency services while taking up to 2 additional tablets at 5-minute intervals. This ensures rapid symptom relief while promptly initiating emergency care if the angina does not resolve.

C. Calling 911 before taking any nitroglycerin delays immediate treatment of angina. Sublingual nitroglycerin is meant to relieve pain quickly, so contacting emergency services comes after assessing response to the first dose.

D. Waiting until all 3 tablets are taken before calling 911 can dangerously delay care if the angina is progressing to myocardial infarction. Early activation after the first dose ensures patient safety and timely intervention.

A. Morphine may be given to relieve pain and anxiety but is not the first priority. Oxygenation must be addressed first.
B. Initiating cardiac monitoring is important but does not take priority over oxygen therapy. Hypoxia from a PE can cause life-threatening complications.
C. Administering oxygen therapy is correct. A PE impairs oxygenation, leading to hypoxia. Immediate oxygen administration helps improve oxygen delivery to vital organs.
D. Starting an IV infusion is necessary to maintain hemodynamic stability but is not the priority over oxygenation.