Which factor is most critical to monitor when adjusting IV nitroglycerin dosage?

Monitoring the current blood pressure is crucial when adjusting IV nitroglycerin dosage because nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator that affects the cardiovascular system by decreasing preload and afterload. This can lead to significant reductions in blood pressure. If blood pressure drops too low, it can compromise perfusion to vital organs and potentially lead to adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, or shock.

Adjusting the dosage without closely monitoring blood pressure may pose serious risks, especially in patients who are already hemodynamically unstable or who have existing low blood pressure. Therefore, maintaining an appropriate blood pressure range is essential to ensure the safe and effective use of nitroglycerin while managing angina or heart failure symptoms. Monitoring other factors, such as respiratory rate, consciousness level, or urine output, is important for overall patient assessment, but they are not as directly impacted by changes in nitroglycerin dosage as blood pressure is.