Drug Card: Nitroglycerin (assisted mediction)

Question 1

Indication

Answer 1

Cardiac chest pain/compromise (angina pectoris); acute myocardial infarction AKA MI or “heart attack” or suspected by assessment

Question 2

Contraindications

Answer 2

Systolic Blood Pressure less than 100 systolic.

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Cerebral hemorrhage, CVA or stroke - rules out via assessment

Question 3

route

Answer 3

sublingual (SL)

Question 4

dosage

Answer 4

0.4 mg sublingual max of 3 doses

Question 5

form

Answer 5

tablet

Question 6

signs and symptoms

Answer 6

Hypotension which can result in shock (pt may experience dizziness, syncope, or lightheadedness), other side effects headache due to vasodilation in brain, tachycardia or feeling of palpitations due to change in BP or tingling under the tongue.

Question 7

Type of drug/Mechanism of Action:

Answer 7

Relaxed blood vessels causing vasodilation which results in increased blood flow to cardiac muscle, thus relieving myocardial ischemia.