What is the primary concern with administering nitroglycerin?

The primary concern with administering nitroglycerin is monitoring for hypotension. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, meaning it works by relaxing and widening blood vessels to improve blood flow and decrease the workload on the heart. This mechanism can lead to a significant drop in blood pressure, especially in patients who are dehydrated, hypovolemic, or already taking antihypertensive medications. It is crucial to assess blood pressure before and after administration to avoid adverse effects, such as dizziness or fainting due to low blood pressure.

While it's important to be aware of other factors, such as monitoring heart rate changes and preventing allergic reactions, these do not carry the same immediate risk associated with the use of nitroglycerin as hypotension does. Hypoglycemia is generally not a concern with nitroglycerin administration and is not related to its effect on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, the focus should primarily be on ensuring that the patient's blood pressure remains stable while receiving this medication.