case study

A patent who has a history of hypertension and angina.  He has been admitted to your medical unit complaining of chest pain.  His blood pressure is 97/60. He is requesting his prn sublingual nitroglycerin tablet.

1.  As a nurse, what should you do first?

2. Should Mr. Smith be given the sublingual nitroglycerin tablet he has ordered for prn use? Explain why or why not?

3. What additional follow-up will be needed?

4. While planning patient education, what instruction will the nurse include?

5. What teaching will the nurse give to the patient if nitroglycerin patches have been ordered upon discharge?