sublingual nitro

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Just wondering if anyone knows about this.id like to know when sublingual nitro is appropriate for a patient or anyone, and under what circumstances.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Sublingual nitroglycerin is given when a patient complains of angina, also known as chest pain.

The nurse administers 1 dose sublingually every 5 minutes until the pain is relieved. If the pain is not relieved after 5 minutes, the nurse can give another dose. If the pain has not been relieved after 3 doses of sublingual nitro spaced 5 minutes apart, call 911 immediately because the patient might be suffering from a heart attack.

Angina is not a disease in itself. Rather, it is a symptom of ischemia. The heart muscle is being deprived of oxygen; as a result, chest pain is felt. The nitroglycerin works to dilate the coronary arteries so that oxygen can reach the heart muscle with more ease. The pain usually disappears once the heart muscle receives sufficient oxygen.

Strange somebody had kicked me from the forums almost upon registring.

But thanks for the info.has been a while.i only work part-time at nursing and get real rusty, but im always looking for answers.

Say you have a resident who has no order for nitro or any other heart related medication , and suddenly complains of severe chest pain?

Just curious.I work in assisted living nights so I like to stay on top of things by consulting forums and people who know.thanks again.

Specializes in Emergency.

On that information I would call 911.

Personally I dont give Nitro to any patient that has never had it before/chronicly taking it without IV access, seen too many BP's crash and burn.

Strange somebody had kicked me from the forums almost upon registring.

But thanks for the info.has been a while.i only work part-time at nursing and get real rusty, but im always looking for answers.

Say you have a resident who has no order for nitro or any other heart related medication , and suddenly complains of severe chest pain?

Just curious.I work in assisted living nights so I like to stay on top of things by consulting forums and people who know.thanks again.

Thanks.Very helpfull.

Are there different types of Nitroglycerins,,like for example a spray?? If so, is it sprayed under the tongue?

Sublingual nitroglycerin is given when a patient complains of angina, also known as chest pain.

The nurse administers 1 dose sublingually every 5 minutes until the pain is relieved. If the pain is not relieved after 5 minutes, the nurse can give another dose. If the pain has not been relieved after 3 doses of sublingual nitro spaced 5 minutes apart, call 911 immediately because the patient might be suffering from a heart attack.

Angina is not a disease in itself. Rather, it is a symptom of ischemia. The heart muscle is being deprived of oxygen; as a result, chest pain is felt. The nitroglycerin works to dilate the coronary arteries so that oxygen can reach the heart muscle with more ease. The pain usually disappears once the heart muscle receives sufficient oxygen.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Are there different types of Nitroglycerins,,like for example a spray?? If so, is it sprayed under the tongue?
There's a transdermal nitroglycerin patch that is placed on the skin so the medicine can absorb. There's also a transdermal nitroglycerin paste to be placed on the skin in a 1/8 inch thick layer.
Say you have a resident who has no order for nitro or any other heart related medication , and suddenly complains of severe chest pain?

My immediate response is based on my immediate assessment.

I would not administer any medication without a doctor's order.

Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.

yeah , always check bp before giving nitro. And if the patient is taking a drug for ED like viagra or cialis at the time, adding nitro will cause a huge drop in bp.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Say you have a resident who has no order for nitro or any other heart related medication , and suddenly complains of severe chest pain?

Never, ever give a patient a medication without a doctor's order.

If a patient complains of chest pain and has no order for nitro, give no nitro. Call 911.

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