College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Nitroglycerine is commonly used to treat which non-urgent health condition?

1. Asthma

2. Hypertension

3. Angina

4. Diabetes

The correct answer is: Angina

Nitroglycerine is primarily used to treat angina pectoris, which is a condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Angina can occur when the heart is not receiving enough oxygen, often triggered by physical activity or stress. Nitroglycerine works by dilating blood vessels, which improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart, thus relieving the symptoms of angina. Understanding the mechanism of nitroglycerine highlights its critical role in managing angina. While it may have applications for treating acute episodes of other conditions, its specific and predominant use is in the relief of angina pain. In contrast, the other conditions listed are typically managed through different forms of medication or treatment strategies more suited to their physiological mechanisms. For instance, hypertension is typically treated with antihypertensive medications rather than nitroglycerine, diabetes management focuses mainly on insulin or oral hypoglycemics, and asthma treatment usually involves bronchodilators or corticosteroids.