A nurse in a provider's office is monitoring blood electrolytes for four clients who take digoxin.
Which of the following electrolyte values increases a client's risk for digoxin toxicity?

This is a mnemonic to remember the common suffix of drugs that block the beta receptors in the heart and blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and reduce chest pain. For example, metoprolol, atenolol, and propranolol are beta blockers.

Choice A is wrong because calcium channel blockers do not end in DIPINE.

Calcium channel blockers are drugs that block the entry of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels, which can relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Some calcium channel blockers end in DIPINE, such as amlodipine and nifedipine, but not all of them.

For example, verapamil and diltiazem are also calcium channel blockers.

Choice C is wrong because ACE inhibitors do not end in ZoSIN.

ACE inhibitors are drugs that inhibit the enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which can lower blood pressure and prevent heart failure.

ACE inhibitors usually end in PRIL, such as lisinopril, enalapril, and captopril.

Choice D is wrong because angiotensin II receptor blockers do not end in STATIN.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers are drugs that block the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers usually end in SARTAN, such as losartan, valsartan, and irbesartan.

The normal range for blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.

The normal range for heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

This is because a PTT (partial thromboplastin time) test measures how long it takes for blood to clot. A normal PTT range is between 25 to 35 seconds. If the patient’s PTT is too long and greater than 80 seconds, it means their blood is taking too long to clot and they are at risk of bleeding excessively. The nurse should notify the doctor and expect an order to hold the dose of heparin, a type of anticoagulant that prevents blood clots by prolonging the PTT.
Choice A is wrong because continuing with the same dosage of heparin would not correct the prolonged PTT and could cause more bleeding problems for the patient.
Choice C is wrong because increasing the dosage of heparin would further prolong the PTT and increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice D is wrong because decreasing the dosage of heparin would not be enough to bring the PTT back to normal range and would still pose a bleeding risk for the patient.