AEMCA Practice Exam

What is nitroglycerin primarily used for?

1. To treat hypertension

2. As an antidepressant

3. As a vasodilator for angina

4. To reduce cholesterol levels

The correct answer is: As a vasodilator for angina

Nitroglycerin is primarily used as a vasodilator for the treatment of angina, which is chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart. When administered, nitroglycerin works by relaxing the smooth muscles in blood vessels, leading to their dilation. This process increases blood flow to the heart muscle, alleviating the pain associated with angina by reducing the workload of the heart. In contrast, while hypertension treatment involves medications that can include vasodilators, nitroglycerin is specifically employed for acute episodes of angina rather than chronic blood pressure management. Antidepressants are unrelated to nitroglycerin’s mechanism of action, which has no effect on mood disorders. Additionally, nitroglycerin does not play a role in cholesterol reduction or lipid management, which is typically achieved through other classes of medications. Hence, the correct answer highlights nitroglycerin's established use as a vasodilator specifically in the context of angina relief.