National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Medical Assistant Practice Test

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Prepare for the NCCT Medical Assistant Test. Study with multiple choice questions, each accompanied by explanations. Ensure your readiness for the exam!

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!

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Usage of nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients with which condition?

Severe anemia
Glaucoma
Severe hypotension
Hyperlipidemia

The correct answer is: Severe hypotension

Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator commonly used to relieve chest pain associated with angina or to manage heart failure. However, its use is contraindicated in patients with severe hypotension because it can further lower blood pressure. Nitroglycerin works by dilating blood vessels, which decreases vascular resistance and lowers blood pressure. In a patient with severe hypotension, this can lead to dangerously low blood pressure levels, potentially resulting in inadequate blood flow to vital organs. Severe anemia, glaucoma, and hyperlipidemia do not have the same immediate and severe impact on the patient's safety as severe hypotension does when nitroglycerin is administered. Severe anemia can affect oxygen transport, glaucoma can be adversely affected by systemic vasodilation, and hyperlipidemia is related to cholesterol levels which doesn’t directly conflict with nitroglycerin use. However, the risk of exacerbating already low blood pressure makes nitroglycerin particularly risky for patients with severe hypotension.