A client with chest pain has a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. Which assessment question is most important before administration?
1Do you have a history of low blood pressure or fainting spells?
2Did you use the tablet or spray form during your last episode?
3Have you taken sildenafil or a similar medication recently?✓ Correct answer
4Have you consumed any alcohol or eaten a large meal recently?
Explanation
Nitroglycerin with a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor can cause severe hypotension. The nurse should assess for recent sildenafil or similar medication before giving nitroglycerin. Food preference and family history do not address the immediate medication safety risk.
Clinical Judgment Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Nitroglycerin contraindication check.
Memory Tip Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.
KR vs US NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.
Clinical Practice GuideFor Nitroglycerin contraindication check, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.
CautionDo not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.
Nitroglycerin — A nitrate used to relieve anginal chest pain by vasodilation.
PDE-5 Inhibitor — A medication class for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension that can dangerously interact with nitrates.
Hypotension — Abnormally low blood pressure that can impair perfusion.