Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Nitroglycerin is primarily known for its vasodilating properties, particularly its ability to dilate veins and reduce preload, which alleviates the workload on the heart. At higher doses, nitroglycerin can also cause arterial dilation. This additional effect leads to reduced systemic vascular resistance and can help lower blood pressure. As arterial dilation occurs, it improves blood flow to various tissues and can be beneficial in conditions where there is significant afterload on the heart.

This understanding is pivotal when evaluating the pharmacological impact of nitroglycerin in emergency situations, particularly in managing acute coronary syndromes or heart failure, where decreasing the workload on the heart is essential. The efficacy of nitroglycerin as an arterial dilator makes it a valuable tool in the emergency nurse's arsenal, especially in addressing scenarios that involve hypertension or myocardial ischemia.