Deep Dive: Nitrates and Cardiac Care

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to nitrates and cardiac care, emphasizing their mechanisms, administration, safety protocols, and crucial interactions.

Nitrates

Medications that dilate coronary arteries, increasing blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart.

Angina

Chest pain resulting from ischemia, or insufficient oxygen supply to the heart.

Ischemia

A condition characterized by reduced blood flow to the heart, often leading to angina.

Sublingual nitroglycerin

A fast-acting form of nitroglycerin administered under the tongue for immediate relief of anginal pain.

Transdermal nitroglycerin ointment

A slower, sustained-release formulation of nitroglycerin used for prevention of angina.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure and workload on the heart.

Orthostatic hypotension

A form of low blood pressure that occurs when standing up from sitting or lying down, leading to dizziness.

Acute angina protocol

A strict four-step process for managing acute chest pain with nitroglycerin: Stop activity, take nitroglycerin, wait five minutes, if pain persists, call emergency services.

CGMP (cyclic GMP)

A signaling molecule involved in smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation, affected by nitroglycerin and Sildenafil.

Sildenafil

A PDE5 inhibitor medication commonly known for treating erectile dysfunction, which can dangerously interact with nitrates, causing severe hypotension.

Immediate Action for Dizziness after Sublingual Nitro

Instruct the client to lie down to help stabilize blood pressure.

Precise Administration

The careful timing and specific steps required when using high-alert medications like nitrates to optimize safety and effectiveness.

Drug Interaction Warning

The critical caution against combining nitroglycerin with Sildenafil due to the risk of catastrophic hypotension.

Blood Pressure Stabilization

The physiological process supported by lying down, which assists in venous return and helps maintain blood pressure during vasodilation.