What should you do after administering nitroglycerin to a patient with chest discomfort?

After administering nitroglycerin to a patient with chest discomfort, it is crucial to reassess the patient's blood pressure within 5 minutes. Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator, which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure. Monitoring the blood pressure is vital, as a significant drop could result in hypotension and other complications, especially in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular issues or those taking other blood pressure-lowering medications. Proper assessment following administration allows for timely identification of any adverse effects and enables appropriate clinical responses.

Although asking about symptom improvement and finding out the duration of discomfort are important aspects of patient assessment, they do not take priority immediately after administering medication that can significantly affect blood pressure. Positioning the patient supine and transporting them immediately does not allow for the necessary monitoring and assessment that is critical following the medication administration. Therefore, focusing on blood pressure reassessment is essential to ensure patient safety and effective management of chest discomfort post-nitroglycerin administration.