Which instruction by the nurse will be included when teaching an adult patient about digoxin (Lanoxin) for management of heart failure?
Report nausea and vomiting to your health care provider.
Auditory hallucinations are common adverse effects.
Decrease the amount of high-potassium foods you eat.
Omit your dose of digoxin if your pulse is 70.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: This is the correct instruction by the nurse. Nausea and vomiting are signs of digoxin toxicity, which can be life-threatening. The patient should report these symptoms to their health care provider as soon as possible and have their digoxin level checked.
Choice B reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Auditory hallucinations are not common adverse effects of digoxin. They are more likely to occur with other drugs, such as antipsychotics or opioids.
Choice C reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Decreasing the amount of high-potassium foods can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity, as potassium competes with digoxin for binding sites on the cardiac cells. The patient should maintain a normal potassium intake and avoid sudden changes in their diet.
Choice D reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Omitting the dose of digoxin if the pulse is 70 can lead to underdosing and ineffective treatment of heart failure. The patient should only omit the dose of digoxin if their pulse is below 60, as this indicates bradycardia, which is another sign of digoxin toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not a symptom that would indicate withholding a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker. Hyperglycemia is a high level of glucose in the blood, which can be caused by diabetes or other conditions. Nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers do not affect blood glucose levels directly, but they may mask the signs of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in diabetic patients.
Choice B reason: This is not a symptom that would indicate withholding a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker. Dizziness is a common side effect of many medications, especially those that lower blood pressure. Nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers can cause dizziness by reducing the heart rate and cardiac output, but this is usually mild and transient.
Choice C reason: This is not a symptom that would indicate withholding a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker. Peripheral edema is swelling of the ankles, feet, or legs, which can be caused by heart failure, kidney disease, or venous insufficiency. Nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers do not cause peripheral edema, but they may worsen it in patients with heart failure.
Choice D reason: This is a symptom that would indicate withholding a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker. Wheezing is a high-pitched sound that occurs when breathing is obstructed, usually due to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers can aggravate or cause wheezing by blocking the beta-2 receptors in the lungs, which normally cause bronchodilation (widening of the airways). Therefore, nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers are contraindicated in patients with asthma or COPD.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Vasodilators are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the resistance to blood flow. They can be used to treat hypertension, angina, and heart failure, but they are usually added to other medications, such as diuretics or beta blockers, to improve the symptoms and outcomes.
Choice B reason: This is the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Diuretics are a class of medications that increase the urine output and reduce the fluid retention in the body. They can be used to treat hypertension, edema, and heart failure, as they reduce the preload and afterload on the heart, and decrease the pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema.
Choice C reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Calcium channel blockers are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the calcium channels in the heart and blood vessels, which cause vasodilation and reduced cardiac contractility. They can be used to treat hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias, but they are not recommended for most patients with heart failure, as they may worsen the cardiac function and increase the mortality.
Choice D reason: This is not the preferred agent for the initial treatment of heart failure. Direct renin inhibitors are a class of medications that lower the blood pressure by inhibiting the enzyme renin, which initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormonal pathway that regulates the blood pressure and fluid balance. They can be used to treat hypertension, but they have not been proven to be effective or safe for patients with heart failure.
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.