Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What is the first action you should take before assisting a patient with his prescribed nitroglycerin?

1. Assess his heart rate

2. Administer oxygen

3. Assess his systolic BP

4. Obtain a history of medication use

The correct answer is: Assess his systolic BP

Before assisting a patient with their prescribed nitroglycerin, assessing the systolic blood pressure is a crucial first step. Nitroglycerin is commonly used to relieve angina and works by dilating blood vessels, which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure. If the patient's systolic blood pressure is low, administering nitroglycerin could exacerbate hypotension, potentially leading to serious complications such as fainting or shock. By assessing the systolic blood pressure, you ensure that it is within a safe range before proceeding with the medication. This assessment helps to determine whether the administration of nitroglycerin is appropriate and safe, aligning with protocols and best practices for emergency medical care. While monitoring the heart rate, administering oxygen, and obtaining a history of medication use are all important aspects of patient assessment and treatment, they do not take precedence over the critical evaluation of blood pressure in the context of nitroglycerin administration. Blood pressure assessment is essential to safeguarding the patient’s well-being and ensuring effective treatment.