Question

Which of the following is important for an EMT to assess prior to administering nitroglycerin?

A) Patient's respiratory rate
B) Patient's blood type
C) Patient's medical history, especially allergies
D) Patient's recent dietary habits

Answer 1

An EMT must review a patient's medical history for allergies before administering nitroglycerin due to the risk of allergic reactions and negative drug interactions. In allergy testing, avoiding allergy medications beforehand is important to ensure accurate test results by preventing suppression of allergic responses.

Step-by-step explanation:

An EMT should assess the patient's medical history, especially allergies before administering nitroglycerin. It is crucial to know if the patient has any allergies to medications, which could lead to a severe allergic reaction if nitroglycerin is given. Other considerations include checking if the patient is taking medications, like phosphodiesterase inhibitors, that could interact negatively with nitroglycerin, leading to dangerous drops in blood pressure. Additionally, EMTs should ensure that the patient has not had a recent drop in blood pressure or a head injury, as administering nitroglycerin under these circumstances could be harmful.

Concerning the reference information provided, it's important for patients to avoid allergy medications before allergy testing because these medications can suppress the body's allergic response. This suppression can lead to false negative results, where the test might not show an allergy that truly exists. Accurate results are essential for determining appropriate treatments and management plans for allergies, which is why adherence to preparatory instructions like avoiding certain medications is vital.