JBL EMT Practice Exam

Prior to assisting a patient with his or her prescribed nitroglycerin, the EMT must:

1. determine who prescribed the nitroglycerin

2. ensure the medication is in tablet form

3. obtain authorization from medical control

4. wait at least 5 minutes after assessing the blood pressure

The correct answer is: determine who prescribed the nitroglycerin

Before administering any medication, it is important for the EMT to determine who prescribed the medication in order to ensure that the medication is appropriate for the patient and to have a record of the prescribing physician. Option B is incorrect because nitroglycerin can also be given in the form of a sublingual spray or through IV administration. Option C is incorrect because EMTs have standing orders to administer nitroglycerin in emergency situations. Option D is incorrect because the EMT should actually wait 3-5 minutes after administering nitroglycerin before reassessing the patient's blood pressure. This allows enough time for the medication to take effect. Therefore, A is the best answer as it is the most important and necessary step for safely administering nitroglycerin to a patient.