Which medication is part of the MONA treatment for ACS?

MONA is an acronym commonly used in the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which stands for Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin, and Aspirin. In this context, Nitroglycerin is one of the key medications included in this management strategy.

Nitroglycerin works as a vasodilator, helping to reduce myocardial oxygen demand by dilating blood vessels and relieving chest pain associated with angina or myocardial infarction. It improves coronary blood flow, which can alleviate ischemic symptoms. The use of nitroglycerin is crucial during the initial treatment phase for patients presenting with chest pain due to suspected ACS.

While oxygen is also part of the MONA acronym, it is primarily utilized in cases where the patient exhibits low oxygen saturation (hypoxia), rather than being a standard component of the treatment protocol for all patients with ACS. Other medications listed, such as ibuprofen and clopidogrel, serve different roles; ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, while clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication often given after the acute phase to prevent future thrombotic events. Thus, among the choices provided, nitroglycerin is the medication clearly identified as part of the immediate MONA treatment