Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

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Prepare for the AEMT Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions including hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is a contraindication for nitroglycerin administration?

Associated hypertension within the last 24 to 36 hours
Chest pain associated with tachycardia and dyspnea
Use of erectile dysfunction medications within 24 to 36 hours
Previous coronary arterial bypass graft (CABG)

The correct answer is: Use of erectile dysfunction medications within 24 to 36 hours

The correct answer highlights a crucial contraindication for the administration of nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator, which can significantly lower blood pressure. The use of erectile dysfunction medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), or tadalafil (Cialis), within the past 24 to 36 hours can lead to severe hypotension if combined with nitroglycerin. This interaction occurs because both types of medications cause vasodilation, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, potentially resulting in serious complications. When considering the other options, associated hypertension within the last 24 to 36 hours is not a direct contraindication for nitroglycerin; instead, it may prompt careful monitoring. Chest pain associated with tachycardia and dyspnea could indicate a need for nitroglycerin, depending on the clinical scenario, as long as other contraindications are ruled out. A previous CABG does not contraindicate the use of nitroglycerin; in fact, many patients post-CABG benefit from its administration when experiencing angina or other cardiac-related issues.