A nurse is planning to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the following laboratory results is the priority for the nurse to review prior to administering the medication?
Hemoglobin
Creatinine
Blood urea nitrogen
Potassium
The Correct Answer is D
A. Hemoglobin levels are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. While anemia can affect tissue oxygenation and exacerbate symptoms in heart failure, it is not directly related to the risk of digoxin toxicity.
B. Creatinine levels are used to assess kidney function. Impaired kidney function can affect the clearance of digoxin from the body, potentially increasing the risk of toxicity. However, potassium levels have a more direct impact on the risk of digoxin toxicity.
C. BUN levels are also used to assess kidney function. Similar to creatinine, impaired kidney function can affect digoxin clearance, but potassium levels are more directly related to the risk of digoxin toxicity.
D. Potassium levels are critical because hypokalemia (low potassium) can predispose the client to digoxin toxicity. Digoxin competes with potassium for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cardiac cells. When potassium levels are low, digoxin can bind more readily to these pumps, leading to increased toxicity and potentially life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Metolazone is a thiazide-like diuretic that works primarily in the distal convoluted tubule of the nephron. It can lead to hyponatremia due to its mechanism of increasing sodium and water excretion. However, it is not typically associated with hyperkalemia.
B. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that acts on the ascending loop of Henle. It primarily causes loss of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions. While it can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels) due to increased potassium excretion, it does not typically cause hyperkalemia or hyponatremia.
C. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that acts on the distal convoluted tubule. It can cause hyponatremia due to increased sodium and water excretion. It may also lead to hypokalemia but is not typically associated with hyperkalemia.
D. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that works by antagonizing aldosterone receptors in the distal nephron, leading to retention of potassium and excretion of sodium. It can cause hyperkalemia due to its potassium-sparing effects. Additionally, it may also lead to hyponatremia, although less commonly than thiazide diuretics.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
No explanation
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