A patient with angina has been given 0.4 mg of nitroglycerin SL. ...

[evelyn o bentley]

A patient with angina has been given 0.4 mg of nitroglycerin SL. The patient reports continued chest pain 5 minutes later. The nurse assesses a heart rate of 84 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 88/68 mm Hg. The nurse will take which action?
 
  a. Administer 0.4 mg of nitroglycerin SL.
  b. Administer 0.3 mg of nitroglycerin SL.
  c. Give nitroglycerin by translingual spray.
  d. Notify the provider of the patient's vital signs.

Question 2

A patient with suspected myocardial infarction is seen in the emergency department. The nurse is preparing to administer 325 mg of aspirin. The nurse will perform which action?
 
  a. Administer an enteric-coated tablet.
  b. Ask the patient to chew the tablet.
  c. Give the tablet with a small sip of water.
  d. Place the tablet under the patient's tongue.

[Rilsmarie951]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Nitroglycerin should be held if the patient has a systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg. The nurse should notify the provider.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
To speed the absorption of aspirin, in a cardiac emergency, the patient should chew the tablet when given. An enteric-coated tablet will slow the absorption. Giving the aspirin with water or sublingually will slow the absorption rate.

[evelyn o bentley]

Excellent

[mcarey591]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it