Archive for Chest Pain
Medical Professional
Posted by: | CommentsAs a medical professional it is our duty to educate the patient and family members about the medications they are receiving. Especially what the medication is used for, how it will benefit them, and signs and symptoms to report. Most importantly the patient should notify the nurse or physician when they are experiencing an allergic reaction to any medication. Symptoms to report are swelling of the mouth, lips or throat, itching, skin rash or difficulty breathing. The medical professional should follow hospital protocol for anaphylactic reactions. One of the side effects that the patient should know about when receiving Nitroglycerin is that they will experience a headache. If the physician orders Tylenol or pain medication, the patient may receive it to help with the headache. If the patient is aware that this medication will cause a headache, they are less likely to be anxious when starting the medication. The headache is caused by the vasodilation effect of the Nitroglycerin.
Knowing how Nitroglycerin works in the body, decreasing preload and after load, dilating the arteries in the body, etc. It is plain and clear to see why Nitroglycerin should NEVER be used DURING Cardiac Arrest. Everyday in the medical profession we are ever learning new things and that drugs can be used for multiple conditions. If you are ever unfamiliar with the medicine, take the time to know it’s properties and how it could or could not be beneficial to the condition.
No Pulse
Posted by: | CommentsCardiac Arrest is asystole, which is absence of systole, failure of the ventricles of the heart to contract (usually caused by ventricular fibrillation), a person loses consciousness, has no pulse, no blood pressure. The heart is not functioning at all. When the heart has stopped beating and pumping blood to the organs the person is dying and without proper intervention including the correct choice of medications to aid with CPR, this person will surely die. A person may still die when cardiac arrest has occurred, especially if reversible causes are not corrected. It is important for licensed medical professionals to consider an ACLS course to stay up to date with appropriate interventions following the algorithms approved by the American Heart Association.
Chest Pain | NTG
Posted by: | CommentsLet’s take a closer look at Nitroglycerin and what it is used for and then you will never consider using Nitroglycerin during a cardiac arrest. The key word here is… DURING. Not post cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association makes recommendations and approves medications based on data that has been researched and proven to be effective for certain types of heart arrhythmias. As a health care professional in the ER, ICU, PACU, or OR, it is our responsibility to stay current on medications that are used for different medical conditions. Let’s review what Cardiac Arrest is.
