The nurse administers sublingual nitroglycerine,a vasodilator,to a patient diagnosed with angina.When the patient's chest pain is not relieved,the nurse prepares to give another nitroglycerine tablet.What is the nurse's priority action prior to administering the next dose of medication?

A) Notify the physician.
B) Elevate the head of the bed.
C) Measure the patient's blood pressure.
D) Place the patient on a cardiorespiratory monitor.

Question

Joshua Hauber · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C , Explanation :  It is most important at this time for the nurse to measure the patient's blood pressure because vasodilating medications can result in a significant drop in blood pressure.There would be no reason to notify the physician unless the patient does not respond by the third dose of nitroglycerine.Elevating the head of the bed would be contraindicated,especially if the patient develops hypotension from vasodilation.Although placing the patient on a monitor is indicated,this is not related to administering the patient's medication.

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