Which of the following is the primary purpose of administering nitroglycerin for angina?

The primary purpose of administering nitroglycerin for angina is to relieve chest pain. Angina is typically caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to coronary artery disease. Nitroglycerin works as a vasodilator, which means it relaxes and widens blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow to the heart. This increased blood flow helps alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with angina attacks.

Understanding the pharmacological action of nitroglycerin is crucial; by lowering the workload on the heart and allowing for improved blood circulation, it effectively relieves the ischemic pain that characterizes angina. This therapeutic role is distinctly separate from any impact on blood pressure, anxiety levels, or digestive functions, which are not the primary concerns when dealing with an angina episode.