Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin, which client assessment finding indicates effective relief of an anginal attack?

The indication of effective relief of an anginal attack is primarily based on the subjective experience of the client, particularly in terms of their reported symptoms. When a client states that their chest pain is relieved after the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin, it suggests that the medication is effectively dilating the coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle, and alleviating the ischemic pain associated with angina.

While a decrease in pulse, a substantial drop in blood pressure, or an improvement in oxygen saturation can reflect physiological responses to the medication or the overall state of the client, they do not specifically confirm the relief of anginal symptoms. The primary goal of nitroglycerin therapy is to relieve chest pain as this directly corresponds to the anginal attack the client is experiencing. Therefore, the client’s own report of pain relief is the most reliable indicator of effective treatment in this scenario.