Final answer:
The immediate side effect of taking nitroglycerin that Mr. Jones should be informed about is headache, which is a common reaction to the medication's vasodilatory effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The immediate side effect that Mr. Jones should be made aware of after taking a nitroglycerin tablet sublingually is headache. This is a common side effect due to the vasodilatory effect of nitroglycerin.
Nitroglycerin works by releasing nitric oxide, a vasodilator that relaxes smooth muscle in the blood vessel walls, particularly in the coronary arteries. This helps to relieve angina pectoris, which is chest pain resulting from the heart muscle not getting enough oxygenated blood. While this medication is effective in managing symptoms of angina and improving blood flow to the heart muscle, patients should be informed of possible side effects such as headache, which can be attributed to the sudden widening of blood vessels.
Other possible side effects may include dizziness, nausea, and flushing, but the headache is most immediate and common. It's important for medical professionals to provide this information so that patients can be prepared and understand that this is a typical response to the medication.
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