What should a nurse monitor for in patients using nitroglycerin?

When a patient is using nitroglycerin, it is crucial for the nurse to monitor blood pressure. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that relaxes the blood vessels, leading to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and, consequently, a reduction in blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is essential because patients may experience hypotension as a side effect of the medication, especially if they are also taking other antihypertensive drugs or if they are dehydrated. Keeping track of blood pressure ensures that the nurse can intervene if the patient's readings drop to unsafe levels, thus preventing complications associated with excessive hypotension, such as dizziness, fainting, or falls.

While other factors such as chest pain frequency, heart rate, and electrolyte levels may also be important in overall patient care, they do not carry the same immediate risks as potential hypotension in patients receiving nitroglycerin therapy. Therefore, the priority is the monitoring of blood pressure to ensure safe administration of this medication.