Order: dobutamine 5 mcg/kg/min

Patient's weight: 152 lb

Available: dobutamine 500 mg in 250 mL D5W

What is the flow rate in ml/hr? (Round to the nearest tenths)

A) Potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L:
A potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and indicates hypokalemia. This is a critical finding for a patient taking digoxin. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity because low potassium levels enhance the action of digoxin on the heart, potentially leading to arrhythmias. Therefore, the nurse should immediately report this finding to the provider for correction of the potassium imbalance.

B) BP of 132/82 mm Hg:
A blood pressure of 132/82 mm Hg is within the normal to slightly elevated range for adults. There is no immediate cause for concern related to the administration of digoxin, as this value is not indicative of hypotension or any immediate contraindication.

C) Digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL:
A digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL is within the therapeutic range (0.5-2.0 ng/mL). There is no indication that this level would need to be reported, as it is appropriate for digoxin therapy and not indicative of toxicity.

D) Heart rate of 66/min:
A heart rate of 66/min is within the normal range for an adult at rest (60-100 bpm). A heart rate below 60 bpm may warrant further assessment when taking digoxin, as it can cause bradycardia. However, a heart rate of 66 is not alarming and does not necessitate reporting to the provider, as it is still within an acceptable range for most individuals.

Given:

Ordered dose of Digoxin: 0.375 mg daily

Available Digoxin tablets: 0.25 mg/tablet

Step 1: Set up the proportion:

Desired dose (mg) / Available tablet strength (mg/tablet) = Number of tablets

Step 2: Substitute the values:

0.375 mg / 0.25 mg/tablet = Number of tablets

Step 3: Calculate the number of tablets:

Number of tablets = 0.375 mg ÷ 0.25 mg/tablet

Number of tablets = 1.5 tablets