A mother calls the nurse to report that at 0900 she administered an oral dose of digoxin to her 4-month-old infant, but at 0920 the baby vomited the medicine. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this mother?
Administer a half dose now.
Give another dose.
Mix the next dose with food.
Withhold this dose.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A: Administering a half dose now is not advisable, because it may result in underdosing or overdosing of digoxin. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and a high risk of toxicity, especially in infants and children. The amount of digoxin absorbed by the infant before vomiting is unknown, so giving a partial dose may not achieve therapeutic levels or may exceed safe levels.
Choice B: Giving another dose is not advisable, because it may result in overdosing of digoxin. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and a high risk of toxicity, especially in infants and children. The amount of digoxin absorbed by the infant before vomiting is unknown, so giving a full dose may exceed safe levels and cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, arrhythmias, or visual disturbances.
Choice C: Mixing the next dose with food is not advisable, because it may affect the absorption and bioavailability of digoxin. Digoxin should be taken on an empty stomach or at least one hour before or two hours after meals, because food can interfere with its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and reduce its effectiveness.
Choice D: Withholding the dose is the safest option. If vomiting occurs within 30 minutes of administration, it’s generally advised to skip that dose to avoid the risk of overdose. The next dose should be given as scheduled Digoxin has a long half-life and accumulates in tissues, so missing one dose will not significantly affect its therapeutic effect. Withholding this dose will avoid overdosing and toxicity of digoxin, which can be life-threatening in infants and children. The nurse should also advise the mother to resume the regular dosing schedule and monitor the infant's pulse rate and signs of digoxin toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A: Obtaining postoperative vital signs for a client one day following unilateral knee arthroplasty is a nursing action that the nurse can assign to the PN, as this is a basic skill that does not require complex judgment or intervention by the registered nurse. Therefore, this is a correct choice.
Choice B: Starting the second blood transfusion for a client twelve hours following a below knee amputation is not a nursing action that the nurse should assign to the PN, as this is an advanced skill that requires close monitoring and evaluation by the registered nurse. This is an incorrect choice.
Choice C: Initiating patient controlled analgesia (PCA. pumps for two clients immediately postoperatively is not a nursing action that the nurse should assign to the PN, as this involves administering controlled substances and assessing pain levels, which are beyond the scope of practice of the PN. This is another incorrect choice.
Choice D: Performing daily surgical dressing change for a client who had an abdominal hysterectomy is a nursing action that the nurse can assign to the PN, as this is a routine task that can be done under the supervision and direction of the registered nurse. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
Choice E: Administering a dose of insulin per sliding scale for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a nursing action that the nurse can assign to the PN, as this is an established protocol that can be followed by the PN with appropriate documentation and reporting. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice B reason: Blood pressure of 122/74 mm Hg is within the normal range for a postpartum client and does not indicate an infection. However, the nurse should monitor for signs of preeclampsia or eclampsia, such as hypertension, proteinuria, headache, blurred vision, and seizures.
Choice C reason: Oral temperature of 100.2°F (37.9°C. is slightly elevated, but not necessarily indicative of an infection. A mild fever may occur within the first 24 hours after delivery due to dehydration or hormonal changes. However, if the fever persists or increases, the nurse should suspect an infection and notify the healthcare provider.
Choice D reason: White blood cell count of 19,000/mm^3 (19 x 10^9/L) is higher than the normal range, but not necessarily indicative of an infection. A leukocytosis or increased WBC count may occur as a normal response to stress or trauma during delivery. However, if the WBC count remains elevated or increases further, the nurse should suspect an infection and notify the healthcare provider.
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