Question

Sublingual nitroglycerin is prescribed for a client with a history of a myocardial infarction and atrial tachycardia. The nurse instructs the client about the prophylactic use of these tablets. Which statement by the client indicates the teaching was effective?

Answer 1

Answer:

"I should take one tablet before attempting to climb two flights of stairs."

Explanation:

Nitroglycerin sublingual are taken in patients who have episode of angina for relieving chest pain. It is a vasodilator substance which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood supply thus reducing workload on heart. As a result, cardiac muscles does not have to contract extravagantly to meet the oxygen needs and angina condition is reversed. Sublingual Nitroglycerin is also used as a prophylactic in angina patients to prevent angina attack by taking it before performing any strenuous activity such as climbing stairs, running, exercise etc. Hence Nurse practitioners instruct patients to take one tablet as needed before performing any task which increases risk of an angina attack.