Ontario Paramedic Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator commonly used in the treatment of chest pain, particularly in cases of angina and myocardial infarction. When considering contraindications for its use, hypotension is particularly significant.

Nitroglycerin works by relaxing blood vessels, which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure. If a patient is already experiencing hypotension, administering nitroglycerin could exacerbate this condition, potentially causing a further drop in blood pressure, leading to inadequate perfusion of vital organs. This risk makes hypotension a clear contraindication for the use of nitroglycerin.

In contrast, other options such as chest pain or ischemic heart disease are typically indications for nitroglycerin use, as they often benefit from the vascular relaxation effects of the medication. While hypertension might seem like a concern, it is not a direct contraindication for nitroglycerin, as it is sometimes used in controlled situations to manage high blood pressure. Therefore, understanding hypotension as a contraindication emphasizes the need for careful assessment of blood pressure prior to administering nitroglycerin.