Question: What is 53BASH for?

Answer: It’s for the administration of Nitroglycerin (NTG). These are questions you need to ask. Each of them would be a reason NOT to give NTG. They are all contraindications.

Question: What does the 5 in 53BASH mean?

Answer: If a dose of NTG was given within the past 5 minutes, don’t give them more.

Question: What does the 3 in 53BASH mean?

Answer: If the patient has taken 3 doses for this episode of pain, do NOT give them more.

Question: What does the B in 53BASH mean?

Answer: If the patient’s systolic blood pressure is less than 100 mmHg, do NOT give them NTG. It will decrease their BP more.

Question: What does the A in 53BASH mean?

Answer: Does the patient have an Altered Level of Consciousness (ALOC)? If they do, do NOT give them NTG.

Question: What does the S in 53BASH mean?

Answer: Has the patient taken any sexually enhancement drugs within the past 48-72 hours? If so, do NOT give them NTG.

Question: What does the H in 53BASH mean?

Answer: Does the patient have a head injury? If so, do NOT give them NTG.