A 62-year-old male is seen with crushing chest pain, which he describes as being the same kind of pain that he had with a previous heart attack. He has prescribed nitroglycerin but states that he has not taken any. After administering supplemental oxygen if needed and contacting medical control, you should:

The rationale for selecting this option centers on the critical importance of assessing the patient's blood pressure before administering nitroglycerin. Nitro is a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes and widens blood vessels, which can lead to a significant drop in blood pressure. It's vital to ensure that the patient's systolic blood pressure is above 100 mm Hg to minimize the risk of hypotension, especially in a patient who is already experiencing chest pain consistent with a potential myocardial infarction.

In emergency medical settings, guidelines emphasize patient safety and the necessity of monitoring vital signs prior to administering medications that could further complicate the patient's condition. By assisting the patient with his nitroglycerin only if his systolic blood pressure is adequate, you ensure that you are taking a prudent approach that mitigates the risk of adverse reactions, such as syncope or further cardiovascular instability.

Other choices might lack this safety consideration or involve actions before confirming the patient's stability. Overall, assisting with nitroglycerin in alignment with blood pressure parameters is essential for patient care in this scenario.