A patient begins taking nitroglycerin for acute angina attacks and comes to the clinic for a follow-up appointment. The patient reports the development of a headache when taking a nitroglycerin tablet. What information should the nurse provide?
a. Headache is common because of the vasodilatory effects of the medication.
b. Headache means that the levels of the nitroglycerin are effective.
c. Headache could mean the dose is too high, causing vasodilation.
d. Headache is an atypical symptom, but blood pressure should be checked.
ANS: A
Initial therapy can produce a severe headache. This response diminishes over the first few weeks of treatment.
A headache would not signify that the level of nitroglycerin is effective, nor does it indicate that the dose is too high.
Headache is a typical symptom, so a response indicating that it is atypical would also be incorrect.
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