Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 95%
Simulated
The patient is being discharged with nitroglycerin (Nitrostat). Patient education would include instructions to:
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Correct Answer: C. For chest pain, put one tablet under your tongue every 5 minutes; taking no more than a total of three tablets.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a medication used to treat angina by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow to the heart. The correct patient education includes taking one tablet under the tongue for chest pain every 5 minutes, up to a maximum of three tablets. This regimen helps to relieve chest pain by reducing the workload of the heart and improving blood supply. Taking more than three tablets can lead to low blood pressure and other serious side effects. Instructing the patient to take three tablets immediately (B) or without waiting 5 minutes between doses can result in hypotension. Instructing them to call 911 immediately (A) without trying nitroglycerin first may delay treatment. In option D, waiting for instructions from the healthcare provider can also lead to a delay in symptom relief.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a medication used to treat angina by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow to the heart. The correct patient education includes taking one tablet under the tongue for chest pain every 5 minutes, up to a maximum of three tablets. This regimen helps to relieve chest pain by reducing the workload of the heart and improving blood supply. Taking more than three tablets can lead to low blood pressure and other serious side effects. Instructing the patient to take three tablets immediately (B) or without waiting 5 minutes between doses can result in hypotension. Instructing them to call 911 immediately (A) without trying nitroglycerin first may delay treatment. In option D, waiting for instructions from the healthcare provider can also lead to a delay in symptom relief.