The nurse prepares to administer digoxin 0.125 mg PO to a client who has chronic heart failure. The laboratory report reveals a digoxin level of 2.5 mg/mL. Which nursing action is most appropriate at this time?
Assess the apical pulse and if above 60 beats/minute administer the dose.
Administer 0.25 mcg and potassium 20 mEq IV.
Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider of the digoxin level.
Administer the digoxin with a potassium supplement.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Assessing the apical pulse is not enough to determine if the client is safe to receive digoxin. The client's digoxin level is already above the therapeutic range of 0.5 to 2 ng/mL¹² and giving another dose could increase the risk of toxicity and arrhythmias.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Administering 0.25 mcg of digoxin and potassium 20 mEq IV is not appropriate for this client. The client does not need more digoxin or potassium, as both could worsen the client's condition. Potassium levels should be monitored closely in clients taking digoxin, as low or high levels can affect the drug's action and toxicity³.
Choice C reason: This is correct. Withholding the medication and notifying the healthcare provider of the digoxin level is the most appropriate action for this client. The client's digoxin level is dangerously high and could cause serious adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, vision changes, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest³. The healthcare provider may order to stop digoxin temporarily, adjust the dose, or prescribe an antidote such as digoxin immune fab⁴.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Administering the digoxin with a potassium supplement is not advisable for this client. The client's digoxin level is already too high and adding potassium could increase the risk of hyperkalemia, which can impair the heart's electrical activity and lead to cardiac arrest³. Potassium supplements should only be given to clients with digoxin-induced hypokalemia, and only under the supervision of the healthcare provider³..
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Stopping the medication if the client develops a change in vision is not the information that the nurse should provide in the teaching about rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is a drug that lowers the cholesterol and prevents the complications of cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. Change in vision is not a common or serious side effect of rosuvastatin, and it may be caused by other factors, such as eye strain, infection, or disease. The nurse should not advise the client to stop the medication without consulting the healthcare provider, as this may increase the risk of adverse outcomes, such as heart attack or stroke.
Choice B reason: Monitoring body weight weekly is not the information that the nurse should provide in the teaching about rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is a drug that lowers the cholesterol and prevents the complications of cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. Body weight is not a direct indicator of the effectiveness or safety of rosuvastatin, and it may fluctuate due to various factors, such as diet, exercise, or fluid retention. The nurse should encourage the client to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, but not to focus on the weekly changes in body weight.
Choice C reason: Reporting muscle weakness or pain is the information that the nurse should provide in the teaching about rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is a drug that lowers the cholesterol and prevents the complications of cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. However, statins can also cause muscle damage, which can manifest as weakness, pain, tenderness, or cramps. This can be a sign of a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, which is the breakdown of muscle tissue that can lead to kidney failure or death. The nurse should instruct the client to report any muscle symptoms to the healthcare provider as soon as possible, and to avoid taking any other drugs or supplements that may interact with rosuvastatin and increase the risk of muscle damage.
Choice D reason: Having biannual renal function studies is not the information that the nurse should provide in the teaching about rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is a drug that lowers the cholesterol and prevents the complications of cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. Renal function studies are tests that measure the health and function of the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering the blood and removing waste and excess fluid. Rosuvastatin is not known to cause significant kidney damage, and it is excreted mainly by the liver. The nurse should not recommend the client to have biannual renal function studies, as this may be unnecessary and costly. The nurse should advise the client to follow the healthcare provider's orders regarding the frequency and type of laboratory tests that are needed to monitor the effects of rosuvastatin.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not a correct answer. A decrease in urination is not a common side effect of amlodipine. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that lowers the blood pressure and relaxes the blood vessels. Amlodipine does not affect the kidney function or the urine output, unless there is an underlying renal problem or a drug interaction. The client should monitor their urination, but not expect a decrease.
Choice B reason: This is the correct answer. An increase in lower extremity edema is a common side effect of amlodipine. Amlodipine can cause fluid retention and swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet. This is due to the dilation of the blood vessels and the leakage of fluid into the tissues. The client should monitor their weight and the size of their lower extremities, and report any significant changes to their health care provider. The client may also elevate their legs, wear compression stockings, or take diuretics to reduce the edema.
Choice C reason: This is not a correct answer. Tachycardia during exercise is not a common side effect of amlodipine. Amlodipine can lower the heart rate and the cardiac output, which can reduce the oxygen demand of the heart. Amlodipine does not cause an increase in the heart rate, unless there is an underlying cardiac problem or a drug interaction. The client should monitor their pulse and blood pressure, but not expect tachycardia.
Choice D reason: This is not a correct answer. An increase in bowel motility is not a common side effect of amlodipine. Amlodipine does not affect the gastrointestinal system or the digestion, unless there is an allergic reaction or a drug interaction. Amlodipine can cause some gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, abdominal pain, or constipation, but not an increase in bowel motility. The client should monitor their bowel movements, but not expect an increase.
Choice A reason: This is not a correct answer. A decrease in urination is not a common side effect of amlodipine. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that lowers the blood pressure and relaxes the blood vessels. Amlodipine does not affect the kidney function or the urine output, unless there is an underlying renal problem or a drug interaction. The client should monitor their urination, but not expect a decrease.
Choice B reason: This is the correct answer. An increase in lower extremity edema is a common side effect of amlodipine. Amlodipine can cause fluid retention and swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet. This is due to the dilation of the blood vessels and the leakage of fluid into the tissues. The client should monitor their weight and the size of their lower extremities, and report any significant changes to their health care provider. The client may also elevate their legs, wear compression stockings, or take diuretics to reduce the edema.
Choice C reason: This is not a correct answer. Tachycardia during exercise is not a common side effect of amlodipine. Amlodipine can lower the heart rate and the cardiac output, which can reduce the oxygen demand of the heart. Amlodipine does not cause an increase in the heart rate, unless there is an underlying cardiac problem or a drug interaction. The client should monitor their pulse and blood pressure, but not expect tachycardia.
Choice D reason: This is not a correct answer. An increase in bowel motility is not a common side effect of amlodipine. Amlodipine does not affect the gastrointestinal system or the digestion, unless there is an allergic reaction or a drug interaction. Amlodipine can cause some gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, abdominal pain, or constipation, but not an increase in bowel motility. The client should monitor their bowel movements, but not expect an increase.
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