If a patient wearing a nitroglycerin patch has a cardiac arrest, what should the nurse do?

The appropriate action when a patient wearing a nitroglycerin patch experiences a cardiac arrest is to remove the nitroglycerin patch before defibrillation. This is crucial because nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator, and during defibrillation, the electrical shocks can lead to rapid absorption of the medication into the bloodstream, potentially causing adverse effects such as severe hypotension or other complications.

Removing the patch minimizes the risk of these complications and ensures the patient's safety during the emergency response. Defibrillation requires that the skin is as clear of any substances or medications as possible to ensure effective conduction of the electrical shock and to maintain the patient's hemodynamic stability during resuscitation efforts.

Other choices, while important steps in a cardiac arrest situation, do not address the specific risk associated with the nitroglycerin patch. For instance, beginning CPR immediately is critical, but should ideally be coupled with removing the patch. Additionally, simply calling for help without taking action would delay vital interventions. Monitoring the patient without any intervention does not align with the necessary response in a cardiac arrest scenario. Thus, removing the nitroglycerin patch is a crucial step that prioritizes patient safety during resuscitation efforts.