Before giving nitroglycerin patches, what assessment should the nurse perform?

• A. Check the client’s blood pressure.
• B. Assess for pain level.
• C. Monitor heart rate.
• D. Evaluate skin integrity.

Answer: (A)

Checking the client’s blood pressure is crucial before administering nitroglycerin patches because nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator that can lead to hypotension. This medication works by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow and reduce the workload on the heart, which can decrease blood pressure significantly. It is essential to assess blood pressure to ensure that it is within safe limits; if the blood pressure is too low, administering nitroglycerin could exacerbate the hypotensive effect and lead to dangerous consequences for the client.

In addition to blood pressure, assessing pain level, monitoring heart rate, and evaluating skin integrity are also important assessments in the overall care of a client who may be receiving nitroglycerin. However, the most immediate concern is ensuring that the blood pressure is stable enough to tolerate the effects of nitroglycerin safely.