A nurse is caring for a client who is taking digoxin for heart failure and develops indications of severe digoxin toxicity. Which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer?

C) Use active listening methods during the session:
Active listening is crucial in educational sessions as it ensures the nurse fully understands the client’s needs and concerns. It involves attentively listening to the client, responding to their questions, and adapting the teaching to their feedback. This fosters effective communication and enhances learning.

D) Ask the client open-ended questions during the session:
Open-ended questions encourage clients to express their thoughts and provide more detailed responses. This approach helps the nurse assess the client’s understanding and identify any areas where further explanation might be needed. It also promotes a more interactive and engaging teaching process.

E) Use the teach-back method during the session:
The teach-back method involves asking the client to repeat the information in their own words to confirm their understanding. This technique is effective in reinforcing learning and identifying any gaps in the client’s comprehension, ensuring they are well-informed about their medication.

A) Provide educational material written at a 9th-grade reading level:
While providing educational material at an appropriate reading level is important, it is not selected here because the question focuses on strategies to use during the teaching session rather than the written material itself.

B) Begin the session with the least important information:
Beginning with the least important information is not an effective teaching strategy. It is better to start with the most critical points to ensure the client understands the essential aspects of their medication.

A) "I've had a backache for several days."
A backache is not typically associated with digoxin toxicity. This symptom is more likely related to musculoskeletal issues rather than an adverse effect of digoxin.

B) "I feel nauseated and have no appetite."
Nausea and loss of appetite are common symptoms of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin can cause gastrointestinal disturbances as part of its adverse effects, and these symptoms are important indicators that the medication levels may be too high.

C) "I am urinating more frequently."
Increased urination is not an adverse effect of digoxin itself but may be a result of the diuretic effect of other medications often used in conjunction with digoxin for heart failure. It is not typically a direct sign of digoxin toxicity.

D) "I can walk a mile a day."
The ability to walk a mile a day indicates that the client is experiencing functional improvement, not adverse effects. Digoxin is used to improve symptoms of heart failure, and this statement suggests that the medication may be having a beneficial effect.