Final answer:
For a patient complaining of a headache after taking nitroglycerin for chest pain, nurses should monitor the headache, educate about side effects, and potentially administer mild pain relief if necessary, while ensuring further evaluation for severe headaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient receives nitroglycerin for chest pain and complains of a headache, the most appropriate nursing intervention would be to monitor the intensity of the headache and provide education on the side effects of nitroglycerin. Since nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, it can cause headaches due to the sudden widening of blood vessels, which is a common side effect. If the headache is mild, it may be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, after discussing with the healthcare provider. Nurses should reassure the patient that headaches can be a common side effect of nitroglycerin therapy. However, if the headache is severe, persistent, or associated with other symptoms, further medical evaluation may be necessary.