Angina Pathophysiology and Treatment

Flashcards covering the pathophysiology of stable and unstable angina, along with the administration and safety guidelines for Nitroglycerin treatments.

Stable Angina

Chest pain induced by any physical exertion (e.g., walking up stairs, yard work, sex) that stops when the physical activity stops.

Unstable Angina

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

Memory Trick: U

Stands for Unstable Angina, Unsafe Angina, and Unrelieved pain at rest.

Memory Trick: S

Stands for Stable Angina, Safer Angina, and Stops with rest.

Sildenafil ("-afil")

A medication that when combined with Nitroglycerin leads to death; also known as Viagra.

Nitroglycerin Normal Side Effect

Headache (HA).

Nitroglycerin Adverse Effect

Hypotension, which requires the patient to perform slow position changes.

Nitroglycerin Treatment Goal

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

Nitroglycerin 911 Protocol

Call 911 if pain remains $5\,min$ after the first dose.

Nitroglycerin Dosing Limit

A maximum of 3 doses taken $5\,min$ apart.

Nitroglycerin Administration

Sublingual (SL) under the tongue; do not swallow.

Nitroglycerin Storage Rules

Must be kept away from light and heat; do not store in pill boxes, cars, plastic bags, or pockets; replace every 6 months.

Nitroglycerin Patch Dose

Applied as $0.4\,mg$ once daily, not PRN.

Nitroglycerin Patch Application Sites

Clean, dry, shaven areas on the upper body (subclavian, arm, upper chest); rotate locations daily.

Nitro Patch Site Contraindications

Hairy, scarred, burned, callous, or broken skin.

Nitroglycerin Patch Fall-off Protocol

If the patch has been off for over 1 hour, take a nitro pill or spray, as a new patch can take $40-60\,min$ to work.

Nitroglycerin Nurse Precaution

Nurses must wear gloves to avoid getting a major headache from skin contact with the medication.