After administering nitroglycerin to a patient experiencing chest pain, what should be your next action if the patient feels faint?

When a patient experiences faintness after receiving nitroglycerin, it indicates a potential drop in blood pressure, which is a common side effect of this medication. In this situation, taking the patient's blood pressure is crucial as it provides immediate insight into their hemodynamic status and helps to guide further interventions. Lowering the head of the stretcher can also alleviate some symptoms of faintness by promoting blood flow to the brain, thereby stabilizing the patient while assessing their vital signs. This action prioritizes patient safety and allows for informed decision-making regarding the next steps in management.

Administering oxygen, while essential in certain contexts, is not the immediate priority without understanding the patient’s blood pressure response first. Starting chest compressions is not warranted unless the patient is unresponsive and not breathing adequately, which is not suggested here. Checking for responsiveness alone does not provide the critical information needed about blood pressure changes that have likely caused the patient’s faintness after nitroglycerin administration.