Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

What are the conditions that must be met before administering nitroglycerin?

1. Systolic below 90mmHg

2. Heart rate above 100

3. Minimum systolic of 90mmHg

4. Maximum of 1 tablet

The correct answer is: Minimum systolic of 90mmHg

The correct answer is based on the need to ensure that it is safe to administer nitroglycerin. The condition for a minimum systolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg is crucial because nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator and can lower blood pressure. Administering it to a patient with a systolic blood pressure below this threshold can lead to significant hypotension, which may worsen the patient's condition and cause adverse effects. Establishing a minimum of 90 mmHg allows for the therapeutic benefits of nitroglycerin, particularly for chest pain stemming from cardiac causes, while minimizing the risk of complications associated with low blood pressure. This criteria ensures patient safety while also providing an effective treatment option for angina or myocardial infarction scenarios.