Question

A nurse is teaching a client who has chronic stable angina pectoris and a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. Identify the sequence of instructions that the nurse should tell the client to use if he experiences chest pain?

A. Wait 5 min.
B. Stop actvity.
C. Call 911 if the pain is not relieved.
D. Place a tablet under the tongue.

Answer 1

The correct sequence a client should follow when experiencing chest pain with a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets is: Stop activity, place a tablet under the tongue, wait 5 minutes and if there's no relief, take a second tablet, then a third if necessary, and call 911 if the pain persists after three tablets in 15 minutes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct sequence of instructions for a client who experiences chest pain and has a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets is:

1. Stop activity immediately to reduce demand on the heart.
2. Place a tablet under the tongue to allow for quick absorption and to help dilate the coronary arteries, improving blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle.
3. Wait 5 minutes to see if the chest pain improves. If the pain has not eased, take a second nitroglycerin tablet.
4. If after another 5 minutes the pain still persists, take a third tablet.
5. Should the chest pain not be relieved after three tablets in 15 minutes, it's important to Call 911 because this could be an indication of a more serious condition such as a heart attack.

It is essential to recognize that angina indicates that part of the heart is not getting enough blood and oxygen. Quick intervention with medications like nitroglycerin can address this issue temporarily, but it is also critical to seek emergency medical attention if symptoms do not resolve quickly as this could be a sign of an imminent heart attack.