NURSING FUNDAMENTA - Test 2 Study Guide.

NURSING FUNDAMENTA - Test 2 Study Guide/NURSING FUNDAMENTA - Test 2 Study Guide. o A detrimental side effect may be referred to as an adverse drug effect. o The prothrombin time (PT), reported as an international normalized ratio (INR) value, is used to adjust Coumadin (warfarin) dosage. PT time is generally maintained at an INR of 2 to 3. o o o o o o o o o o Nitroglycerin tablets begin to lose their potency after the darkly-tinted bottle they come in is opened, and they are exposed to light. Mrs. Lutz is correct. Unused tablets in an opened bottle should be discarded after three months.. Nitroglycerin oral spray is an alternative to sublingual or buccal tablets. The oral spray works quickly to alleviate chest pain. Medication (one or two sprays) is sprayed under or onto the tongue. The mouth should then be kept closed, and the spray should not be swallowed. Nitroglycerin is expected to have an effect on blood pressure. Nitroglycerin relaxes vascular smooth muscle, resulting in venous vasodilation and coronary artery vasodilation. Venous return to the heart (preload) and myocardial oxygen demands are reduced. A reduced cardiac output causes blood pressure to decrease.