Question

A 45-year-old woman calls EMS because of severe chest pain. When you arrive, she advises you that she has taken two of her husband's nitroglycerin tablets without relief. Her BP is 110/60 mm Hg, her pulse is 100 beats/min, her respirations are 16 breaths/min, and her oxygen saturation is 95%. You should:

Answer 1

When a woman experiences severe chest pain and has already taken nitroglycerin tablets without relief, immediate treatment should be provided. This may include administering supplemental oxygen and aspirin, but further nitroglycerin administration should be done under medical supervision. Intravenous nitroglycerin may be considered for further management of the chest pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a 45-year-old woman calls EMS because of severe chest pain, it is essential to assess and provide appropriate treatment. In this case, the woman has taken two nitroglycerin tablets without relief. Based on her vital signs, which include a blood pressure (BP) of 110/60 mm Hg, a pulse rate of 100 beats/min, a respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min, and an oxygen saturation of 95%, immediate treatment should be administered.

The next step would be administering supplemental oxygen to improve oxygenation. Aspirin can also be given to help break up blood clots. Since the woman has already taken nitroglycerin tablets without relief, it is not recommended to administer additional doses. Instead, the EMS team should consider intravenous nitroglycerin administration under medical supervision for further management of the chest pain.