NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamPharmacologyMedium
A 50-year-old male is experiencing severe chest pain. He has a history of hypertension and takes prescribed medication for it. You administer sublingual nitroglycerin as per protocol. Approximately 2 minutes later, he complains of a headache. What is the most likely cause of this headache?
- AA common side effect of nitroglycerin's vasodilatory action.
- BAn allergic reaction to the nitroglycerin.
- CAnxiety related to his cardiac event.
- DA sudden increase in his blood pressure.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. A common side effect of nitroglycerin's vasodilatory action.
Nitroglycerin causes widespread vasodilation, including in the cerebral blood vessels. This dilation leads to increased blood flow to the brain and can cause a headache, which is a very common and expected side effect.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. An allergic reaction would typically present with symptoms like rash, itching, or swelling, not primarily a headache.
- C. While anxiety can cause headaches, a headache specifically after nitroglycerin administration is more likely a direct pharmacological effect.
- D. Nitroglycerin's primary action is vasodilation, which lowers blood pressure, so a sudden increase in BP is highly unlikely after administration.
Nitroglycerin Side Effects
Common and expected adverse reactions that can occur following the administration of nitroglycerin due to its pharmacological actions.
- Headache (most common, due to cerebral vasodilation).
- Hypotension (due to systemic vasodilation).
- Flushing.
- Dizziness/lightheadedness.
Memory trick: Nitro's side effects: head pounds, BP drops, face flushes.