Question

A nurse is preparing to administer nitroglycerin topical ointment to a client who has angina. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Apply the ointment to intact skin on the client's upper arm
B) Cover the application site with an airtight dressing
C) Apply the ointment to the client's chest
D) Massage the ointment into the skin until fully absorbed

Answer 1

To properly administer nitroglycerin topical ointment for angina, the nurse should apply it to intact skin on an area like the chest, spread it in a thin layer without massaging, and cover it with a special non-absorbent dressing provided with the medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

When administering nitroglycerin topical ointment for a client with angina, the nurse should follow specific steps to ensure proper application and effectiveness. The correct action for the nurse to take is to:

• Apply the ointment to intact skin preferably to an area like the chest or the upper arm avoiding areas with cuts, abrasions, or irritations.
• Spread a thin layer of the ointment over a large area of the skin without rubbing it in.
• Cover the application site with a special non-absorbent dressing provided with the medication, not an airtight dressing. The dressing allows for the steady absorption of the medication while protecting the ointment from clothing and keeping the dosage consistent.

It is essential to avoid massaging the ointment into the skin as this could lead to an unpredictable absorption rate and potential overdose. Instead, the ointment should be applied gently and covered with the dressing to control the release of the medication.