Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the EMT Basic Certification Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations. Become a certified EMT!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

In the administration of nitroglycerin, what is the maximum number of doses a patient can receive?

The correct answer is: 3

In the administration of nitroglycerin for chest pain, the accepted maximum number of doses a patient can receive is three. Nitroglycerin works by dilating blood vessels, which can relieve angina by reducing the heart's workload and improving blood flow to the heart muscle. If the initial dose does not provide relief after a few minutes, subsequent doses may be administered. However, it's essential to monitor the patient’s response and ensure that there are no contraindications, such as significant drops in blood pressure or the patient taking phosphodiesterase inhibitors (like Viagra) within the last 24 to 48 hours, as this can lead to dangerous hypotension. After three doses, further administration should be approached with caution, and it's advisable to seek additional medical intervention. Therefore, allowing up to three doses ensures adequate management of the condition while also being mindful of potential adverse effects.