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The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an infant with heart failure. Before administering the medication, the nurse double-checks the dose, counts the apical heart rate for 1 full minute, and obtains a rate of 80 beats/minute. Based on this finding, which is the appropriate nursing action?

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that is used to treat heart failure. A primary concern is digoxin toxicity, and the nurse needs to monitor closely for signs of toxicity and monitor digoxin blood levels. The medication is effective within a narrow therapeutic digoxin range (0.5 to 0.8 ng/mL). Safety in administration is achieved by double-checking the dose and counting the apical heart rate for 1 full minute. The apical pulse rate for an infant is 90 to 130 beats/min If the heart rate is less than 90 beats/minute in an infant, the nurse would withhold the dose and contact the health care provider. Therefore, the remaining options are incorrect actions; it would be harmful to administer the medication.

methamphetamine abuse results in which vascular system dysfunction?

Methamphetamine abuse causes vasoconstriction, resulting commonly in poor wound healing and hypertension.

How should you insert drops into a infants ear?

The infant should be turned onto the side, with the affected ear uppermost. With the wrist of the nondominant hand resting on the infant's head, the mother pulls down and back on the earlobe and aims the solution at the wall of the canal, rather than directly onto the eardrum. In the adult, the auricle is pulled up and back to straighten the auditory canal.

What is the priority nursing action to monitor with a thyroidectomy?

Thyroidectomy is the removal of the thyroid gland, which is located in the anterior neck. It is very important to monitor airway status, as any swelling to the surgical site could cause respiratory distress. Although all of the options are important for the nurse to monitor, the priority nursing action is to monitor the airway.