The nurse is educating a client who is newly diagnosed with angina about his newly prescribed nitroglycerin. The nurse understands that teaching is effective when the client makes which statement?
“It is safe to take one dose of nitroglycerin if I am taking sildenafil.”
“I should chew up three tablets at once, and then call 9-1-1 if I still have chest pain in 15 minutes.”
“I can take up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart, under my tongue as needed for chest pain.”
“I can keep the pills in a glass cup on my nightstand so I can reach them easily in an emergency.”
Number 3 is correct.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin should be taken one tablet at a time, sublingually every 5 minutes up to three doses over 15 minutes as needed for chest pain. If pain relief does not occur, 9-1-1 should be called. It is not safe to take nitroglycerin if taking sildenafil unless approved by the health care provider. Nitroglycerin should be taken one tablet at a time and never chewed or crushed. The pills must be kept in a dark container to prevent loss of effectiveness of the medication.
