Final answer:
After administering oxygen, you should assist the patient in taking nitroglycerin sublingually and consider giving aspirin to help alleviate chest pressure and improve the patient's condition. Confirming the patient's tolerability to these medications is essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
After administering oxygen to your patient, a 73-year-old man experiencing severe chest pressure and difficulty breathing, the first thing that you should do is assist him with taking nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is generally administered sublingually (under the tongue) for rapid absorption and can help relieve chest pain or pressure by acting as a vasodilator. Additionally, giving aspirin can also be a crucial step if a myocardial infarction (MI) is suspected. Aspirin helps to break up clots, which could be causing the chest pressure, by inhibiting platelets. It is important to confirm, if possible, that the patient is not allergic to or intolerant of aspirin or nitroglycerin before administering them. If the patient's condition is due to an acute coronary syndrome, these immediate interventions can be lifesaving.
Ensure Scene Safety: Ensure that the immediate environment is safe for both you and the patient.
Activate Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Time is critical in potential cardiac emergencies, and the patient may require advanced medical intervention.
Administer Oxygen: As you've already administered oxygen, continue to monitor the patient's breathing and vital signs. Administering oxygen is important in supporting oxygenation and relieving potential hypoxia.
Assess Vital Signs: Check the patient's vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. This information will be valuable for EMS personnel when they arrive.
Provide Comfort and Reassurance: While waiting for EMS, reassure the patient and keep them as calm as possible. Stress and anxiety can exacerbate cardiac symptoms.
Do Not Open the Nitroglycerin Vial: In the prehospital setting, it's generally not recommended for bystanders or EMS providers to administer someone else's prescribed medications, especially without proper medical assessment. Nitroglycerin can lower blood pressure, and its use should be guided by a healthcare professional. Leave the nitroglycerin vial untouched.