Morphine in ACS is given when nitroglycerin does not relieve chest discomfort.

Morphine in ACS is given when nitroglycerin does not relieve chest discomfort.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if blood pressure is high
• D. Only if nitro doesn't help

Answer: (D)

In ACS, pain relief usually starts with nitroglycerin to dilate vessels and reduce chest pain, as long as there are no contraindications. If that nitro relief doesn’t adequately alleviate chest discomfort, morphine is given next to provide stronger analgesia and help reduce the sympathetic response that can raise oxygen demand. The idea is to move from first-line relief (nitro) to additional relief (morphine) only when pain persists after nitro. High blood pressure isn’t a prerequisite for giving morphine, and morphine isn’t used simply because blood pressure is high. It’s used when nitroglycerin hasn’t relieved the pain. So, the best statement is that morphine is given only if nitroglycerin doesn’t help.

In ACS, pain relief usually starts with nitroglycerin to dilate vessels and reduce chest pain, as long as there are no contraindications. If that nitro relief doesn’t adequately alleviate chest discomfort, morphine is given next to provide stronger analgesia and help reduce the sympathetic response that can raise oxygen demand. The idea is to move from first-line relief (nitro) to additional relief (morphine) only when pain persists after nitro. High blood pressure isn’t a prerequisite for giving morphine, and morphine isn’t used simply because blood pressure is high. It’s used when nitroglycerin hasn’t relieved the pain. So, the best statement is that morphine is given only if nitroglycerin doesn’t help.