The nurse assesses a client who is prescribed digoxin. The client reports nausea and seeing green halos. Which action should the nurse perform?
Administer the dose later in the day when their nausea subsides
Assess the client's apical rate
Contact the physician for STAT serum potassium level
Administer the client's prescribed dose intravenously
The Correct Answer is B
A. Administer the dose later in the day when their nausea subsides: Delaying the dose does not address the underlying concern of potential digoxin toxicity. Symptoms like nausea and visual disturbances suggest toxicity and require immediate assessment rather than postponement.
B. Assess the client's apical rate: The first and most appropriate nursing action is to assess the apical heart rate for one full minute, as bradycardia is a key indicator of digoxin toxicity. If the rate is below 60 bpm, the dose should be held, and the provider should be notified.
C. Contact the physician for STAT serum potassium level: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, but while checking potassium is important, it is not the first step. Assessment of heart rate is more immediately critical in evaluating the need to hold the medication.
D. Administer the client's prescribed dose intravenously: Administering the dose especially IV when the client has symptoms of toxicity could worsen the situation. Digoxin should be held, not given, until further evaluation and provider notification.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. the heart rate is greater than 100 bpm in sinus tachycardia: Normal Sinus Rhythm is characterized by a heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). Sinus tachycardia is defined as a sinus rhythm with a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute. The rhythm remains regular, with each P wave followed by a QRS complex, but the rate is significantly faster than normal sinus rhythm.
B. more p waves are present than QRS complexes: In sinus tachycardia, the number of P waves and QRS complexes remains one-to-one, as each atrial impulse continues to be conducted to the ventricles. More P waves than QRS complexes typically suggest atrial flutter or other forms of AV dissociation.
C. the QRS complexes measure greater than 0.10: A widened QRS complex suggests a bundle branch block or ventricular rhythm, not sinus tachycardia. In sinus tachycardia, QRS complexes typically remain narrow, measuring less than 0.10 seconds unless an intraventricular conduction delay is present.
D. the rhythm is often irregular in sinus tachycardia: Sinus tachycardia is usually a regular rhythm with consistent R-R intervals. An irregular rhythm is more indicative of atrial fibrillation or sinus arrhythmia, not a defining characteristic of sinus tachycardia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "All patients with this disorder have a genetic defect which causes it.": Restrictive cardiomyopathy is not primarily a genetic disorder. While there may be rare familial forms, most cases are acquired, often secondary to systemic diseases, making this statement inaccurate and misleading.
B. "There are many theories about its development but amyloidosis in your history is a probable cause.": This is the most accurate response. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is commonly associated with infiltrative diseases such as amyloidosis, hemochromatosis, and sarcoidosis, which impair ventricular filling due to stiff, non-compliant myocardium.
C. "You probably had a silent heart attack which caused this disorder.": Silent myocardial infarctions can contribute to ischemic cardiomyopathy, typically leading to dilated, not restrictive, changes in the myocardium. They are not a primary cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy.
D. "Your long-standing hypertension caused this disorder.": Chronic hypertension more commonly leads to left ventricular hypertrophy and may contribute to diastolic heart failure, but it is not a typical cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
