Question

A client presents to the ed reporting anxiety and chest pain after shoveling heavy snow that morning. the client says that nitroglycerin has not been taken for months but upon experieincing this chest pain did take three nitroglycerin tablets. although the pain has lessened, the client states, "they did not work all that well." the client shows the nurse the nitroglycerin bottle; the prescription was filled 12 months ago. the nurse anticipates which order by the physician?

Answer 1

There are choices for this question namely:

Ativan 1 mg orally 
Nitroglycerin SL 
Serum electrolytes 
Chest x-ray

The correct answer is "Nitroglycerin SL". The SL means sublingually. The physician will still order Nitroglycerin to be taken sublingually whenever there is chest pain. The patient's medication may have been expired being stored for 12 months now. Ativan or Lorazepam will not be given as this is a sedative and there is no indication for sedatives.

Serum electrolytes and chest xray will not be requested as these diagnostic examinations are not usually done in patients with stable angina.