An EMT is on the scene of a 48-year-old male patient complaining of chest pain.He has nitroglycerin prescribed and available.After performing the primary and secondary assessments,the EMT contacts medical control and is ordered to assist the patient in taking his nitroglycerin.Carefully,the EMT performs the "five rights" and checks the expiration before administering the medication.The patient states the medicine is not helping his pain.The patient also states he does not have a headache.Reassessment of the patient's vital signs shows no change in blood pressure.The EMT suspects the nitro is not working because the:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin can become ineffective if exposed to light, heat or moisture, or if it has been stored for too long. It is possible that the medication was somehow rendered inert and is therefore not providing relief for the patient's chest pain. It is unlikely that the medication is expired or not nitroglycerin, as the EMT checked the expiration and followed the "five rights" before administering the medication. Giving one tablet instead of two would not affect the effectiveness of the medication if the patient had a normal response to nitroglycerin, and there is no indication in the scenario that this was the case.

An EMT Is on the Scene of a 48-Year-Old Male