During an intravenous nitroglycerin infusion, which assessment finding would require the nurse to take action?

• A. Chest pain
• B. Flushing
• C. Headache
• D. Blood pressure 110/90 mm Hg

Answer: (A)

Nitroglycerin infusion aims to relieve angina by dilating veins, which lowers preload and myocardial oxygen demand while improving coronary perfusion. If chest pain persists or worsens during the infusion, that signals ongoing myocardial ischemia despite therapy and requires immediate nursing assessment and possible escalation of care.

Flushing and headache are common vasodilatory side effects and are not usually indicators to stop the infusion; they don’t reflect treatment failure in the same way as persistent chest pain. A blood pressure of 110/90 mm Hg is not a warning sign by itself, though nitroglycerin can cause hypotension, so it should be monitored. Therefore, the finding that requires action is chest pain, as it points to continued ischemia that needs further evaluation and intervention.