Angina Pathophysiology and Treatment Flashcards

Flashcards covering the pathophysiology of stable and unstable angina, as well as the administration and safety protocols for Nitroglycerin and Nitro patches.

Stable Angina

Chest pain induced by physical activity or exertion (e.g., walking up stairs, yard work, sex) that occurs because less oxygen is delivered to the heart muscles.

Unstable Angina

Chest pain that occurs at rest and serves as a warning sign for an MI (heart attack); it indicates more severe narrowing of the coronary arteries.

Memory Trick: S - Stable Angina

S - Stable Angina, S - Safer Angina, S - Stops with rest.

Memory Trick: U - Unstable Angina

U - Unstable Angina, U - Unsafe Angina, U - Unrelieved pain at rest.

Nitroglycerin (Goal)

To have no chest pain during daily activities such as combing hair, getting dressed, or making the bed.

Sildenafil ("-afil")

A medication that when taken with Nitroglycerin leads to DEATH!

Nitroglycerin Normal Side Effect

Headache (HA).

Nitroglycerin Adverse Effect

Hypotension; requires slow position changes.

Nitroglycerin Administration: 911 Protocol

Call $911$ if pain persists $5$ min after the $1^{st}$ dose.

Nitroglycerin Maximum Dosage

$3$ doses maximum, taken $5$ min apart.

Nitroglycerin Sublingual Instructions

Place under the tongue (SL) and do NO SWALLOW.

Nitroglycerin Storage Rules

Keep away from light and heat; do not store in pill boxes, cars, plastic bags, or pockets. Purse is okay. Replace every $6$ months.

Nitro Patch Dosage

The standard dose is $0.4\,mg$; applied $1$ x daily (NOT PRN).

Nitro Patch Application Locations

Upper body (subclavian, arm, upper chest) on a clean, dry, shaven area. Rotate locations daily. Do not apply to hairy, scarred, burned, calloused, or broken skin.

Nitro Patch Nurse Safety

Nurses must wear gloves during application because the medication will cause a MAJOR HA (headache) if it comes into contact with the skin.

Nitro Patch Falling Off

If the patch has been off for over $1$ hour, take nitro (pill/spray) because a new patch can take $40\text{--}60$ min to work.