The American Red Cross CPR Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

For a person experiencing a heart attack, assisting with nitroglycerin is appropriate because it is a medication specifically used to relieve chest pain (angina) and manage heart conditions. Nitroglycerin works by dilating the blood vessels, which improves blood flow to the heart muscle and reduces the heart's workload. This can be particularly vital during a heart attack, as it helps to alleviate pain and can support the heart in functioning more effectively during this critical time. The use of nitroglycerin is often prescribed for individuals with known heart conditions and is considered an important part of emergency care in these situations.

Other medications, while useful in different contexts, are not typically administered in the initial response to a heart attack. For example, atorvastatin is primarily a cholesterol-lowering medication, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for pain relief, and albuterol is a bronchodilator used for respiratory issues, none of which address the immediate needs during a heart attack scenario.