TL;DR
Nitroglycerin (EMT): Sublingual vasodilator for chest pain. EMT assists with patient's prescribed NTG. Contraindicated if SBP<100.
Nitroglycerin (EMT)
Definition
Sublingual vasodilator for chest pain. EMT assists with patient's prescribed NTG. Contraindicated if SBP<100.
Key Values & Ranges
Key values and ranges relevant to nitroglycerin (emt) in prehospital care:
| Parameter | Adult | Pediatric |
|---|---|---|
| blood pressure | 90/60-120/80 mmHg | 70+(2*age) systolic minimum |
| respiratory rate | 12-20 breaths/min | 25-50 (infant), 15-30 (child) |
| blood glucose | 70-140 mg/dL | 60-100 mg/dL (neonates lower) |
| SpO2 | 95-100% | 95-100% |
| heart rate | 60-100 bpm | 80-150 bpm (infant), 70-120 bpm (child) |
Clinical Significance
In prehospital care, understanding nitroglycerin (emt) can mean the difference between a positive patient outcome and a critical miss. An 8-month-old infant is found unresponsive. Parents report fever of 104 F for 2 days. Fontanelle is bulging. Suspect meningitis: manage airway, IV access, rapid transport.
Related pharmacology: adenosine at 6mg rapid IV push, then 12mg if needed, indicated for SVT (narrow complex tachycardia).
Common Errors
Critical errors in prehospital application of nitroglycerin (emt):
- Failing to reassess after intervention. Vital signs must be rechecked every 5 minutes for unstable patients
- Incorrect medication dosing. Always use length-based estimation (Broselow tape) for pediatric patients
- Tunnel vision on one finding while missing the complete clinical picture
- Not communicating changes to receiving facility during transport
Calculation Methods
Dosage calculations related to nitroglycerin (emt) in EMS:
- midazolam: 2-5mg IV/IM, 0.2mg/kg IN (IV, IM, IN)
- adenosine: 6mg rapid IV push, then 12mg if needed (IV rapid push with flush)
- naloxone: 0.4-2mg IV/IM/IN, titrate to respirations (IV, IM, IN)
Pediatric dosing: always calculate by weight (mg/kg). Use Broselow tape if weight is unknown.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting nitroglycerin (emt) in the field:
- Waveform capnograph: If measures end-tidal co2 continuously with waveform display fails, verify connections, check battery, try alternate equipment. Available sizes: Mainstream (inline), Sidestream (sampling)
- BVM: If bag-valve-mask for manual ventilation fails, verify connections, check battery, try alternate equipment. Available sizes: Adult (1500mL), Pediatric (500mL), Infant (250mL)
- IO drill: If intraosseous access device for emergent vascular access fails, verify connections, check battery, try alternate equipment. Available sizes: EZ-IO: 15mm (peds), 25mm (adult), 45mm (obese)
Overview
Sublingual vasodilator for chest pain. EMT assists with patient's prescribed NTG. Contraindicated if SBP<100. NTG assistance and contraindications tested on EMT exam.
In prehospital assessment, temperature reference range: adult 97.8-99.1 F (36.5-37.3 C), pediatric same range, rectal preferred under 2yo. Deviations from these norms guide treatment decisions in the field.
Why It Matters
NTG assistance and contraindications tested on EMT exam.
Related Terms
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