The nurse is reviewing the client’s laboratory results. Based on a client’s serum digoxin level, the client is diagnosed with digoxin toxicity. Which action should the nurse expect to implement?
Begin cardioversion to stabilize heart rhythm.
Give digoxin by another route to slow absorption.
Administer potassium to stabilize the heart rate.
Check acid-base and electrolyte values.
The Correct Answer is D
- Begin cardioversion to stabilize heart rhythm: Cardioversion is not the appropriate intervention for digoxin toxicity. Digoxin toxicity can cause arrhythmias, but the initial action should be to assess and manage the underlying cause, rather than immediately proceeding to cardioversion.
B) Give digoxin by another route to slow absorption: Slowing the absorption of digoxin is not the appropriate action for treating digoxin toxicity. Instead, the focus should be on managing the existing toxicity and preventing further absorption by withholding additional doses.
C) Administer potassium to stabilize the heart rate: While potassium may be indicated as part of the treatment for digoxin toxicity, particularly if hypokalemia is contributing to the toxicity, it is not the initial action. The priority is to assess the client’s acid-base and electrolyte values to identify any abnormalities contributing to the toxicity.
D) Check acid-base and electrolyte values: This is the correct action. Digoxin toxicity can be exacerbated by electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Therefore, assessing the client’s acid-base and electrolyte values is essential to identify and correct any abnormalities contributing to the toxicity. Once identified, appropriate interventions can be implemented to manage the toxicity and stabilize the client’s condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Notify the healthcare provider of the passage of black stools: This is the correct response. Black stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a serious adverse effect of NSAID use. It's im’ortant for the client to report this symptom promptly to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.
B) Call the clinic if diarrhea or headache occur when taking esomeprazole: While it's im’ortant to report any adverse effects of medication to the healthcare provider, diarrhea and headache are not specific to esomeprazole and may not warrant immediate attention unless severe or persistent.
C) Once pain subsides, NSAID therapy can be resumed: This statement is incorrect. The client should avoid NSAIDs in the future, as they are likely the cause of the gastric pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Resuming NSAID therapy would increase the risk of recurrent bleeding.
D) Resume a diet that consists of milk, cream, and bland foods: This statement is incorrect. While bland foods may be easier to tolerate during acute gastric pain, they do not address the underlying issue of gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, dairy products like milk and cream may exacerbate symptoms in some individuals.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Sleeps soundly through the night: Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic medication commonly prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia in older adults. The desired outcome of administering zolpidem is improved sleep quality, including the ability to sleep soundly through the night. Documenting that the client sleeps soundly through the night indicates that the medication has achieved its intended effect of promoting sleep.
B) Exhibits fewer emotional outbursts: While zolpidem may indirectly contribute to emotional stability by improving sleep quality, it is not primarily indicated for reducing emotional outbursts. Therefore, this documentation does not specifically reflect the desired outcome of zolpidem administration.
C) Improved ability to concentrate: Zolpidem’s primary effect is on sleep induction rather than concentration. While improved sleep may indirectly enhance concentration in some cases, this documentation does not directly relate to the intended outcome of zolpidem therapy.
D) Decreased episodes of incontinence: Zolpidem is not indicated for the treatment of urinary incontinence, so documenting a decrease in episodes of incontinence would not reflect the desired outcome of zolpidem administration.
Therefore, the most appropriate documentation indicating that the desired outcome has been achieved when administering zolpidem to an older client is that the client “sleeps soundly through the night.” This reflects the medication’s primary purpose of improving sleep quality and duration.
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