The nurse is teaching a patient about sublingual nitroglycerin ...

[RODY.ELKHALIL]

The nurse is teaching a patient about sublingual nitroglycerin administration. What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient?
 
  a. Call 911 if pain does not improve after three doses.
  b. If pain persists after one dose, administer a second dose.
  c. Swallow the tablet with small sips of water.
  d. Take the first tablet while sitting or lying down.

Question 2

A patient who has been taking nitroglycerin for angina has developed variant angina, and the provider has added verapamil (Calan) to the patient's regimen. The nurse will explain that verapamil is given for which purpose?
 
  a. To facilitate oxygen use by the heart
  b. To improve renal perfusion
  c. To increase cardiac contractility
  d. To relax coronary arteries

[vickybb89]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Because nitroglycerin can cause hypotension, patients should be cautioned to take them while sitting or lying down. If pain is not better or has worsened 5 minutes after the first dose, patients should call 911. The tablets must dissolve under the tongue and should not be swallowed.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker and is used to relax coronary artery spasm in patients with variant angina. It does not facilitate coronary muscle oxygen use, improve renal function, or increase cardiac contractility.

[RODY.ELKHALIL]

Excellent

[mcarey591]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it