Question

A patient in a clinic is experiencing symptoms of myocardial infarction. The provider prescribes sublingual nitroglycerin. What action should the medical assistant take?

Answer 1

Sublingual nitroglycerin is a medication that is prescribed for patients experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. It dilates blood vessels, including the coronary arteries, to increase blood flow to the heart.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sublingual nitroglycerin is a medication commonly prescribed for patients experiencing symptoms of myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. Nitroglycerin works by dilating the blood vessels, including the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. By promoting vasodilation, nitroglycerin helps to increase blood flow to the heart and relieve chest pain or discomfort.

To administer sublingual nitroglycerin, the medical assistant should follow these steps:

1. First, they should ensure that the patient is seated or lying down in a comfortable position.
2. Next, the medical assistant should instruct the patient to place one tablet or spray of nitroglycerin under their tongue.
3. The patient should be advised not to swallow the medication and instead allow it to dissolve completely under their tongue.
4. Once dissolved, the medical assistant should advise the patient not to rinse their mouth or eat or drink anything until the medication has taken effect.
5. If the patient's symptoms do not improve within 5 minutes, the medical assistant should promptly seek further medical attention for the patient.