The nurse is preparing a patient’s daily dose of digoxin (Lanoxin), an inotropic drug. The adult patient has an apical pulse of 48/min.
What should the nurse do next?
Withhold the dose and notify the health care provider.
Notify the health care provider and monitor the patient’s vital signs.
Recheck the pulse, making sure to count for 1 full minute.
Administer the dose.
The Correct Answer is A
Digoxin is a medication that can help the heart pump more blood and slow down the heart rate in certain conditions, such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation. However, digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range, which means that too much or too little of it can be harmful. The therapeutic range of digoxin levels in the blood is 0.5-2 ng/mL, and the toxic level is >2.4 ng/mL. Digoxin should be held if the resting apical pulse of an infant is <90 bpm, an older child is <70 bpm, or an adult is <60 bpm. A pulse of 48/min in an adult is too low and could indicate digoxin toxicity, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. Therefore, the nurse should withhold the dose and notify the health care provider immediately.
Choice B is wrong because notifying the health care provider and monitoring the patient’s vital signs are not enough.
The nurse should also withhold the dose to prevent further exposure to digoxin.
Choice C is wrong because rechecking the pulse, making sure to count for 1 full minute, is not necessary. The nurse should already have counted the pulse for 1 full minute before administering digoxin, as per standard procedure.
Choice D is wrong because administering the dose could worsen the patient’s condition and increase the risk of digoxin toxicity and arrhythmias.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Food high in potassium should be avoided for clients taking ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are drugs that block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which is a potent vasoconstrictor and also stimulates the secretion of aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone that increases the reabsorption of sodium and water and the excretion of potassium in the kidneys. By inhibiting angiotensin II, ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and reduce the loss of potassium. However, this can also lead to hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood that can cause cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness.Therefore, clients taking ACE inhibitors should limit their intake of foods that are rich in potassium, such as bananas, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, beans, nuts, and salt substitutes.
Choice B is wrong because a low sodium diet is recommended for clients taking ACE inhibitors.
A low sodium diet can help lower blood pressure and reduce fluid retention, which are beneficial effects for clients with hypertension, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease.A low-potassium diet should aim for potassium intake of less than 50 or 75 mmol/day and sodium intake of less than 60 mmol/day for hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease.
Choice C is wrong because adequate fluid intake is not contraindicated for clients taking ACE inhibitors.
Adequate fluid intake can help prevent dehydration and maintain kidney function, especially in patients with diabetes or nephropathy.However, excessive fluid intake may worsen heart failure or edema in some patients, so fluid intake should be individualized and monitored according to the patient’s condition and response to therapy.
Choice D is wrong because foods low in potassium are not harmful for clients taking ACE inhibitors.
Foods low in potassium do not affect the serum potassium level or the risk of hyperkalemia in clients taking ACE inhibitors.However, foods low in potassium may not provide enough dietary potassium for normal cellular functions, so a balanced diet that includes moderate amounts of potassium-rich foods is advisable.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Nitroglycerin sublingual is a medication that is used to treat chest pain or angina by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the oxygen demand of the heart.A common side effect of nitroglycerin sublingual is headache, which may be severe and throbbing.Headache is often a sign that the medication is working.Other possible side effects include flushing, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, numbness, tingling, burning pain, rash, hives, sweating, pale skin, difficulty breathing and allergic reaction.
Choice A is wrong because nausea is not the most common adverse effect of nitroglycerin sublingual.Nausea may occur in some people, but it is usually mild and transient.
Choice B is wrong because bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not a common adverse effect of nitroglycerin sublingual.Nitroglycerin sublingual may cause tachycardia (fast heart rate) in some people as a result of vasodilation and reflex stimulation of the heart.
Choice C is wrong because hypertension (high blood pressure) is not a common adverse effect of nitroglycerin sublingual.Nitroglycerin sublingual may cause hypotension (low blood pressure) in some people due to its vasodilating action.Hypotension may lead to lightheadedness, fainting or shock in severe cases.
The normal range for blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg for adults.
The normal range for heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults.
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