Art is a 55-year-old smoker who has been diagnosed with angina and placed on nitrates. He complains of headaches after using his nitrate. An appropriate reply might be:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option B acknowledges the patient's complaint and provides information about the common side effect of these drugs. Asking the patient about the severity of the headaches can provide further insight into the need for intervention or potential management strategies.

Option A is incorrect because nitrates cause vasodilation via nitric oxide activation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate leading to relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, which increases blood flow to the heart muscle, thereby reducing angina. Parasympathetic response is not involved.

Option C is incorrect because while smoking is a risk factor for angina, this answer does not address the patient's concern about headaches or provide an appropriate response regarding the medication.

Option D is incorrect because headaches are a common side effect of nitrates, and it is unlikely that the headaches are not related to the medication.

Art Is a 55-Year-Old Smoker Who Has Been Diagnosed with Angina