When administering sublingual nitroglycerin for emergency treatment of angina or chest pain, the nurse monitors for which common adverse effect?
Nausea.
Bradycardia.
Hypertension.
Headache.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is Choice D: Headache.
Choice A rationale: Nausea is not a common adverse effect of sublingual nitroglycerin. Nausea may occur in some patients, but it is usually mild and transient. Nausea may be related to the vasodilatory effects of nitroglycerin, which can cause hypotension and reflex tachycardia1. Nausea may also be caused by other factors, such as anxiety, stress, or food intolerance. Nausea is not a specific indicator of nitroglycerin toxicity or overdose2.
Choice B rationale: Bradycardia is not a common adverse effect of sublingual nitroglycerin. Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, usually defined as less than 60 beats per minute. Bradycardia may occur in some patients who take nitroglycerin, especially in combination with other drugs that affect the heart rate, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or digoxin3. Bradycardia may also be caused by other factors, such as vagal stimulation, hypothyroidism, or electrolyte imbalance. Bradycardia is not a specific indicator of nitroglycerin toxicity or overdose2.
Choice C rationale: Hypertension is not a common adverse effect of sublingual nitroglycerin. Hypertension is a high blood pressure, usually defined as more than 140/90 mmHg. Hypertension may occur in some patients who take nitroglycerin, especially in those who have a history of hypertension, renal impairment, or volume overload4. Hypertension may also be caused by other factors, such as stress, pain, or caffeine intake. Hypertension is not a specific indicator of nitroglycerin toxicity or overdose2.
Choice D rationale: Headache is a common adverse effect of sublingual nitroglycerin. Headache may occur in up to 80% of patients who take nitroglycerin, especially during the first few days of therapy or after an increase in dose5. Headache may be related to the vasodilatory effects of nitroglycerin, which can cause cerebral vasodilation and increased intracranial pressure. Headache may also be caused by other factors, such as dehydration, sinusitis, or migraine. Headache is usually mild to moderate in intensity and can be relieved by analgesics, such as acetaminophen or aspirin. Headache is not a specific indicator of nitroglycerin toxicity or overdose
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This is because digoxin can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate) as a side effect, which can be dangerous and require dose adjustment or discontinuation of the medication.Digoxin helps make the heart beat stronger and with a more regular rhythm by inhibiting sodium-potassium ATPase in cardiac cells.It is used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Choice A is wrong because increasing sodium intake can worsen fluid retention and exacerbate heart failure symptoms.Patients with heart failure should follow a low-sodium diet to reduce the workload on the heart.
Choice B is wrong because checking pulse rate for 30 seconds and multiplying result by 2 is not accurate enough to monitor the effects of digoxin.
Patients taking digoxin should check their pulse rate for one full minute before taking each dose and record it daily.If the pulse rate is too fast or too slow, they should contact their provider.
Choice C is wrong because taking digoxin with food may reduce its absorption and effectiveness.Digoxin should be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.If nausea occurs, it may be a sign of digoxin toxicity and should be reported to the provider.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein, which is a type of cholesterol that carries excess cholesterol from other parts of the body to the liver, where it can be removed.
HDL is sometimes called “good” cholesterol because it helps protect against heart disease.Having high HDL levels is not a characteristic of metabolic syndrome, but rather a protective factor.
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.These conditions include:
• Low HDLs (choice A): Having low levels of HDL cholesterol is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, as it means there is less “good” cholesterol to remove excess cholesterol from the blood vessels.
• Type II diabetes mellitus (choice B): This is a condition where the body does not use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Insulin is a hormone that helps the cells take up glucose from the blood.
Insulin resistance is a key feature of metabolic syndrome.
• Hypertension (choice C): This means having high blood pressure, which can damage the heart and blood vessels over time.
High blood pressure is often associated with obesity and insulin resistance, which are common in metabolic syndrome.
• Abdominal obesity (choice E): This means having excess fat around the waist and trunk, also known as central or visceral obesity.
This type of fat is more harmful than fat in other parts of the body, as it can release inflammatory substances that affect the metabolism and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Hyperglycemia (choice F): This means having high blood sugar levels, which can damage the blood vessels and organs over time.
Hyperglycemia can result from insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, which are both components of metabolic syndrome.
The normal ranges for some of these conditions are:
• HDL cholesterol: more than 40 mg/dL for men and more than 50 mg/dL for women
• Blood pressure: less than 120/80 mmHg
• Blood sugar: less than 100 mg/dL after fasting or less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating
• Waist circumference: less than 40 inches for men and less than 35 inches for women
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