A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure and is taking digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an early indication of medication toxicity?
Visual disturbances
Sudden weight gain
Potassium 4.4 mEq/L
Insomnia
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Visual disturbances is the correct findings. In individuals taking digoxin, visual disturbances such as blurred or yellow-tinted vision can indicate early signs of medication toxicity. This symptom often requires prompt medical attention, as it can precede more severe complications.
Choice B Reason:
Sudden weight gain is not correct. While weight gain can be a symptom of worsening heart failure, it's not typically associated specifically with digoxin toxicity. It's more commonly related to fluid retention in heart failure.
Choice C Reason:
Potassium 4.4 mEq/L is not correct. This potassium level is within the normal range. Digoxin toxicity can be exacerbated by low potassium levels, but a normal potassium level doesn't directly indicate digoxin toxicity.
Choice D Reason:
Insomnia is not a typical early sign of digoxin toxicity. It's more commonly associated with issues like difficulty sleeping rather than being a direct symptom of digoxin toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
"Limit your sodium intake." Is incorrect. Sodium restriction might be appropriate for some cardiovascular or renal conditions, but it is not specifically related to theophylline use.
Choice B Reason:
"Restrict milk products." is incorrect. Restricting milk products is not a necessary dietary consideration for theophylline. However, consuming high-fat dairy products may delay the absorption of theophylline, potentially affecting its effectiveness.
Choice C Reason:
"Avoid caffeinated beverages." Is correct. Theophylline is a bronchodilator used to treat respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It belongs to the class of methylxanthine medications and acts similarly to caffeine. Consuming additional caffeine through beverages like coffee, tea, or certain sodas can increase the risk of adverse effects associated with theophylline, such as increased heart rate or nervousness. Hence, avoiding caffeinated beverages is advisable to minimize the risk of exacerbating these effects.
Choice D Reason:
"Take the medication with meals." Taking theophylline with or without meals is typically acceptable, but it's essential to maintain consistency in timing and avoid significant changes in dietary habits that might affect its absorption or metabolism.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Blood pressure is correct. Nitroprusside is a medication used to lower blood pressure in conditions such as hypertensive emergencies. It's titrated based on blood pressure readings, with the goal of achieving the desired target blood pressure range as directed by the healthcare provider. The nurse would monitor the client's blood pressure closely and adjust the infusion rate accordingly to achieve the prescribed blood pressure parameters.
Choice B Reason:
Stroke volume is incorrect. While stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected by the heart with each contraction) is important in assessing heart function, it's not directly used to titrate a nitroprusside infusion. Nitroprusside primarily acts as a vasodilator to reduce blood pressure, rather than affecting stroke volume.
Choice C Reason:
Cardiac output is incorrect. Cardiac output (the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute) is also a crucial measure of heart function, but adjusting a nitroprusside infusion based on cardiac output is not a common practice. Nitroprusside's primary action is to dilate blood vessels, impacting blood pressure regulation more directly than cardiac output.
Choice D Reason:
Urine output is incorrect. While urine output is an important indicator of renal function and overall fluid balance, it is not typically used as the main parameter for titrating nitroprusside. Nitroprusside's primary effect is on vasodilation and blood pressure control rather than directly impacting urine output.
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